Gannon calls on council to issue street trading licences for Olympic homecoming

Dublin City Council must reconsider its decision not to issue street trading licences for Monday’s Olympic homecoming event, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon.

Gannon was speaking after it was announced that Dublin City Council would host a homecoming ceremony for Ireland’s Olympic champions on Monday, August 12th.

Gannon, TD for Dublin Central, said “the inner city is a street trading community and, as we celebrate our heroic Olympic champions, it is important that the essence of this community is upheld.

He said that usually, special trading licences are usually granted by Dublin City Council for homecoming events, and that “this should be no different” for the Olympics homecoming.

“Street traders, most of whom are women, are indelibly associated with the inner city and have been working in the area for decades. Their exclusion from what will be an amazing homecoming event is deeply unfair,” he said.

“I have written to Dublin City Council today urging them to reconsider this decision and provide licences to those street traders who have sought them.”

The event will take place in front of the GPO, beginning at 12.30pm, with the event fully free to the public and

“Come along to O’Connell Street on Monday afternoon with family and friends and help give our wonderful team the homecoming they deserve,” Dublin City Council said in a statement