Picture a peaceful Victorian square in an affluent corner of South Dublin, and now picture Ireland’s long-awaited Metrolink burrowing beneath it. The underground rail line, first floated in 2001, has hit yet another obstacle: a last-minute legal challenge from residents of Dartmouth Square, who fear the construction of the Charlemont terminus could damage their 19th-century homes.
The Charlemont & Dartmouth Community Group also had questions over whether the proposed Charlemont station is a terminal station, or a major interchange facility.
They said a TII submission to an oral hearing indicated that there will be 29,300 people using the Charlemont station during a 12-hour period, with only 8,000 of these accessing the Luas.
The community group said this would leave 21,300 people “wandering through the streets of this residential area seeking taxis, looking to be picked up, or walking some considerable distance to bus services”.
Dartmouth Square itself is no stranger to battle. Two decades ago, businessman Noel O’Gara locked its gates, attempted to run a tiling business from the green, and even floated plans for a multi-storey car park, sparking a long and colourful standoff with Dublin City Council.
Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent News Correspondent Conor Feehan to explore whether the latest objection threatens Metrolink’s future, and when, if ever, Dubliners might finally ride the line to the airport.