Action group vows to continue campaign

RESIDENTS in Finglas campaigning against the construction of modular homes at St Helena’s Drive have vowed to continue their battle for better planning and consultation in the area.

The Finglas Action Group was founded in the wake of the decision to build the 40 modular homes, but members fear there may be more unsuitable housing developments on the way.

The groups says it has no problem with providing accommodation for homeless in the area, or social housing units, but they’re calling for a mix of housing types on suitable sites.

The group welcomed comments last week from new Housing Minister, Simon Coveney, who has promised a “huge” programme of social housing and a mix of public and private housing – a demand at the core of their campaign.

“That’s what we’ve spent the last seven months crying out for; proper planning,” said Sandra Devlin of Finglas Action Group.

“We want the houses, we just want them planned properly so we don’t go into another community crisis here.

“There’s estates in Finglas that are here 30 or 40 years now and they still haven’t settled. To prevent all that happening again, just build the estates right to begin with.”

Last month Dublin City Council issued some members of the group with official letters claiming they had prevented access to the modular homes site and warning them that their “actions” were “unlawful”.

Devlin claimed those who received the letters from the council ranged in age from late 50s to late 70s, and were residents who have lived in the area for over 40 years.

“Some pensioners were very shaken by the various allegations being made in these letters,” she told Northside People. “We were just demonstrating at the site, we weren’t blocking the site.”

Devlin admits to blocking one digger for “a few minutes” just to make a point but says group members feel they’re also being blamed for incidents of anti-social behaviour in a local laneway near the site, which has nothing to do with any protest.

“There’s been a load of anti-social behaviour but it’s nothing new,” she said. “It’s only being highlighted now because they’re working on the laneway. There’s always been anti-social behaviour there.”

Members of the group are now in talks with the council, but feel little progress has been made.

“Now, as the weeks have gone on, the negotiations just seem farcical,” Devlin said. 

The Finglas Action Group have organised a number of protests, including holding placards along the main Finglas Road, and have vowed to continue their campaign.