High Court Overturns Planning Permission For Heroin Injection Facility.

Thursday, 15 July 2021 11:28

It follows a challenge by the board of management at a nearby national school

The High Court has overturned a controversial planning decision to allow Ireland’s first legal heroin injection facility to be set up in Dublin city centre.

It follows a challenge by the board of management at a nearby national school, who claimed their concerns about the wellbeing of their pupils were ignored.

Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:

"From 6am to 9pm, seven days a week, Merchants Quay Ireland was given permission to provide private booths in the basement of the Riverbank Centre in Dublin city where drug users could inject heroin under the supervision of medical professionals.

The board of management at a nearby national school questioned the appropriateness of having such a centre just 150m away from young impressionable schoolchildren.

They cited a report from a clinical psychologist who raised concerns about the children being exposed to what appeared to be the normalisation of illegal drug use.

In overturning the planning permission, the High Court said An Bord Pleanála didn’t engage adequately with their submissions.

The decision has now been set aside and the court is of the view that it should be reconsidered by the planning board."

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.