Controversial plans for a supervised drug injection centre have been granted temporary planning permission by An Bord Pleanala.
Merchant's Quay Ireland was given the green light for the development on the quays in the city centre, despite strong opposition from a nearby primary school, publicans and some councillors. St Audoen’s National School, which is located 150 metres away, argued the injection centre would result in a toxic environment for pupils and staff.
The school launched successive High Court challenges to the plans in 2021. The High Court found the case should be resubmitted to ABP.
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The planning board decided to grant permission for the injection facility, which will be the country's first, on a pilot basis for 18 months. The facility will be located in MQI's headquarters at 13/14 Merchants Quay which is also known as the Riverbank Building.
The planning allows for the injection facility to be established in the vacant basement of the building as well as an off-street waiting area. At the end of the trial period which begins on the first day it is in operation, an "independent agent" will evaluate the facility.
The finding by APB, which was dated December 21 and signed by member Patricia Calleary, cited support for the facility in the National Drug Strategy. And it noted that the Minister for Health can close down the facility if it is found to be "ineligible".
The report also proposed that a "monitoring committee" be established to oversee the facility which is to be chaired by the HSE and will include representation from the Department of Health, An Garda Siochana, Dublin City Council and other stakeholders from the community.
The planning board were satisfied that the 18 month pilot condition of the development "would enable the impact of the development to be assessed" in relation to the concerns raised by the school and local businesses.
The Oireachtas Justice Committee released a report recently that called for an injection centre to be opened in Dublin "as soon as possible". However, Councillor Mannix Flynn said the plans are a "waste of money" and "out of date".
He said: "This is disappointing given the myriad of issues people face out here. One of the biggest issues that we face is that there are no facilities for treatment by way of rehabilitation and detox beds - it is simply a waste of money.
"The biggest use of drugs on the streets at the moment is prescription drugs and also crack cocaine which people smoke. An injection centre is out of date."
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