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SEVEN DERELICT, COUNCIL-OWNED properties at a prime location just outside the perimeter of the Phoenix Park in Dublin look set to remain vacant for the foreseeable future.
Dublin City Council bought seven out of the eleven Mulberry Cottages, located in Chapelizod village near the Phoenix Park, under a compulsory purchase order in 2022.
It had planned to refurbish the homes and put them back into use.
The properties, many of which have been derelict for nearly two decades, were the subject of a December report by the council that detailed a number of issues undermining plans to renovate the properties.
According to council chief executive Richard Shakespeare, responding to Green Party Councillor Ray Cunningham who asked this month if the properties can be sold, the primary issue facing the site is the limited access.
The cottages are located on a narrow section of the road leading into Chapelizod village. As a result, renovation work could face problems when it came to the location of a site office, receiving deliveries and parking.
The homes are located at an architectural conservation area and are in close proximity to St Laurence’s National School, located at the rear of the properties, and St Patrick’s National School, less than 300 metres away.
Shakespeare told councillors a “broad outline plan” was agreed and the council plans to immediately clear a communal area at the back of the properties, next to a path leading into the Phoenix Park, and knock down extensions which were in “poor conditions”.
He added that the council also intends to board and steel up the rear access to the site.
“Once these works are carried the housing team will consider what options are open to the council to bring this back into use,” Shakespeare said.
Cunningham this month highlighted how four cottages on the same terrace that remained within the private market have since been refurbished and restored by private owners. An online listing indicates one of the properties is now in turnkey condition and accepting tenants.
Cunningham told the Dublin Inquirer this month that dereliction is a problem in Chapelizod and risks impacting the overall status and look of the small, historic village.
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My brother has had 2 kidney transplants first one from our dad and second time from a donor as a family we cannot thank them for being willing to donate organs and their loved ones enough for carrying out their wishes despite their heartbreak and grief. Please let your loved ones know if you want to donate your organs
I will be eternally grateful to my donors family. It is a difficult decision for families at a very difficult time. My donor saved four lives and impacted many many more lives. I know my donors family were happy to see something incredible happen for others out of a very tragic accident. Make your own views known to your nearest and dearest, it makes the decision easier and it makes a huge difference. The gift of life.
It should be an automatic enrolment on the donor list, opt out if you have strong preferences against it
Not hard to implement, and could do away with situations where next of kin aren’t sure of loved one’s wishes, and don’t donate their loved ones organs – “Just in case they wouldn’t have wanted it”.
With an opt-out system we gain hugely I think
And if you’re a transplant recipient – always – send a letter of thanks. It’s anonymous but the comfort it brings to donor families is enormous.
Ireland should operate an automatic opt in system for ORG donations.
Be a hero be a donor
Agreed, why not implement a opt out system in line with the UK system Max and Keira’s Law’. Doubtless the government will engage some external consultants, a couple of years and several millions later, they will reach this conclusion.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 7. We always knew there was an increased risk of kidney disease that would ultimately end In a transplant. What we didn’t expect was when she was 19 to be told she would at some point need at least one liver transplant due to a rare autoimmune liver condition.
(The condition eventually comes back after transplant but can be slowed down) some at the same point she is, by the age of 40 have had 5 transplants, others have had none. Ireland don’t do live liver transplants either as I wanted to be a donor.
Her condition further deteriorated after 18 months due to another chronic severe autoimmune disease. It’s an extremely rare combinations of autoimmune conditions.
I’m not sure how viable my organs will be when I die but whatever they can use they can have. When we die our bodies will be cremated or they will rot where they could be used to actually save lives and give people a chance to live those lives to the full.
have your say