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Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Councillors erupt into war of words after former Cork lord mayor votes against social housing scheme
A former lord mayor of Cork has been criticised for voting against one of three social housing projects approved by city councillors on Monday, one of which would deliver 56 homes on a former sweet factory site. Labour councillor Peter Horgan said he was incensed by Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy's criticism of the "bland design" for four apartments on a vacant overgrown corner site at the junction of Boreenmanna Rd and Clanrickarde Estate, which attracted over 40 submissions during its Part 8 public consultation. 'Units like this being rejected because the design is bland?' Mr Horgan asked. 'I'm sorry housing isn't sexy enough for you to vote for it. That is not a reason to vote against housing. I find it insulting to those who worked on the scheme and to those on the housing list The deputy lord mayor, Green Party councillor Honore Kamegni, and Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill also voted against it, with Mr Cahill criticising the way the Part 8 consultation was initially presented to councillors. Mr Kamegni said: 'Just because there is a housing crisis, doesn't mean we have to build anywhere.' Officials said they listened to concerns and omitted the second floor of one of the units, reducing the height from three to two storeys, to deliver two two-bedroom ground floor units, one two-bed unit, and one one-bed unit on the first floor — the maximum changes possible on a tight corner site. Councillors eventually voted 22 to seven to approve the scheme. They also approved Part 8 planning for 56 social homes on the former Topps sweet factory in Ballincollig, which has lain vacant since the company ceased operations in the town in 1998. Design concerns Councillors were told the scheme will be named Innishmore Gardens and comprise of one four-bed house, 17 three-bed houses, 12 one-bed apartments, 12 two-bed duplex units, seven two-bed apartments, and seven three-bed duplex units. The scheme will also provide 58 parking spaces. It will range in height from two storeys to three storeys, and will be carried out for the council by way of a project agreement with OBR Construction Group. Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch, who was raised and lives in Innishmore, said he wants to see the housing development succeed and integrated into the existing community. Independent councillor Albert Deasy criticised the council for not taking on board certain design concerns he said he expressed before the scheme was published for public consultation, and he called for it to be referred back to the local area committee. However, council chief executive Valerie O'Sullivan insisted there were no Part 8 proposals before councillors that had not been properly consulted on. 'Most derelict street in Cork' In Blackpool, councillors approved the demolition of a council-owned derelict two-storey house at 24 Thomas Davis St for a three-storey building with two units — one two-bed maisonette over a one-bed apartment, each with their own door access at ground floor level. Fianna Fáil councillor John Sheehan welcomed the proposal for a street he said was once 'the most derelict street in Cork'. 'It once had 23 derelict sites, but that has now been reduced by half thanks to the work of the council. It's great to see the street coming back to life,' he said. Read More Plans for over 360 new homes in Carrigaline resubmitted to Cork County Council
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardai nab nine e-scooters in Dublin using 'new technology'
Under new regulations, gardaí have the power to confiscate any device that is found to be too powerful Gardai are rolling out the new Dynamometer technology Some of the e-scooters that were seized Gardai using new speed testing kits have nabbed nine e-scooters in Dublin for a range of offences. Garda Traffic said their Roads Policing members were conducting checks on e-scooters in the city centre using new Dynamometer technology. 'Nine scooters were impounded for a range of offences, including speeding and exceeding the maximum rated power output,' they posted on X. The mobile dynamometer is a device capable of determining the maximum speed an e-scooter, e-bike or e-moped is capable of, rather than having to catch the passenger in the act of speeding. Some of the e-scooters that were seized News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 The dynamometers are being distributed to garda stations across the country, having been acquired by gardaí in recent months from the Netherlands. According to The Journal, gardaí are only the second national police force in the world to use them. Regulations allowing the use of e-scooters in public places that came into effect last year restricts the vehicles to a maximum speed of 20km per hour. They must also meet particular lighting and braking requirements. A maximum speed of 25km/h is allowed for e-bikes, pedal-assisted electric bicycles, but they must have a motor that cuts off once pedalling stops. Under the new regulations, gardaí have the power to confiscate any device that is found to be too powerful. Gardai are rolling out the new Dynamometer technology The new laws also ban the use of the scooters by those under the age of 16, and from having fixed seats on board. It also prohibited the practice of two people riding on one scooter. In Cork, Labour councillor Peter Horgan told The Echo this week: 'These are a legitimate alternative transport but the speeds that some scooters are now able to go is downright dangerous. ''Other cities have mechanisms where scooter speeds were automatically slowed when in pedestrianised zones and we must examine the technology to try and achieve that. 'They are for short hop journeys not designed as a main mode of transport to clock up to 40km per hour.'
Extra.ie
18-05-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Cork's 'robot trees' removed after years of criticism and high costs
Cork City's much-criticised 'robot trees' have been removed, bringing an end to a four-year saga of controversy, mounting maintenance costs, and persistent questions over their effectiveness. The CityTrees, moss-filled, high-tech air purifiers installed in 2021 – were taken down early this morning from their locations outside Dubray Books on Patrick Street and the City Library on Grand Parade. While the devices are gone, their hexagonal wooden bases remain, continuing to serve as public benches, which many locals have long joked was their most useful function. Billed as sustainable 'moss walls' designed to filter fine dust from the air, the five CityTrees were installed by Cork City Council at a cost of €355,000, funded through a €55 million National Transport Authority scheme aimed at promoting cleaner air and greener transport. The German-designed units were said to clean the equivalent of air breathed by up to 7,000 people per hour. Cork City's much-criticised 'robot trees' have been removed, bringing an end to a four-year saga of controversy, mounting maintenance costs, and persistent questions over their effectiveness. Pic: Cork City Council However, from the outset, the structures were dogged by controversy. In 2023, a University College Cork (UCC) report, commissioned at a cost of €2,500, failed to find conclusive evidence that the devices meaningfully improved air quality, in part due to readings being taken on low-pollution days. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Dean Venables of UCC had previously warned that while the CityTrees might have a limited localised effect, they were unlikely to have any real impact on citywide air quality. Pic: Cork City Council Labour councillor Peter Horgan went further, calling the devices 'the most expensive benches ever purchased by a local authority' and slamming the lack of transparency around their purchase. 'We'd have been far better off planting real trees,' he said, describing the moss machines as 'monstrosities with LED screens.' The annual upkeep of the units added fuel to the fire, costing the council over €17,000 each year. Frustration grew among elected members, who said they were kept in the dark about the decision to purchase the devices, with some resorting to Freedom of Information requests to uncover cost and maintenance details. For now, what's left behind in Cork is not cleaner air, but five pricey wooden platforms, reminders of an ambitious project that never quite took root.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Gardaí investigating suspected stabbing in Cork say no injuries have been reported
The incident, which took place earlier this afternoon in the East Douglas area of the city, saw a man allegedly attacking another man in a suspected stabbing incident before fleeing the scene. In a statement sent this evening, Gardaí say that responded to reports of an assault on East Douglas Street, Cork, shortly after 2:45pm. 'No injuries were reported and no individuals came forward at the scene. Those believed to have been involved had already left the area,' the statement reads Local Labour councillor Peter Horgan says the incident is a shocking one, which has happened at a busy shopping and dining district in the middle of the day. 'It's a busy footfall area in the village, it's very concerning that this happened,' said Horgan, who was one of many councillors who recently attended a Community Policing Forum in the area. 'It's very shocking to have this in the middle of the Easter Holidays with families around the village. I was down there earlier today at lunchtime and you could see families enjoying the last few days for the holidays, so this isn't 3am after a feed of drink kind of thing, this is in the middle of the day and is very concerning for people in the community. 'All I would say at this stage is that: anyone who was in the vicinity at the time should make themselves known to gardaí. Anyone going to the village may consider alternative routes. 'The gardaí need to be given time to investigate the incident but in my experience they are absolutely dedicated to ensuring the criminals that might want to take advantage of our society are brought to heel.' Gardaí were seen questioning a man just before 5pm this evening, in an area cordoned off by an alleyway that connects the car park at the old Douglas cinema, and the main street of the village. Gardaí have contacted local businesses in the area as part of their investigation.
Sunday World
23-04-2025
- Sunday World
Gardaí at scene of suspected stabbing in Cork shopping district
An Garda Síochána have confirmed an incident took place in East Douglas Gardaí are currently at the scene of a suspected stabbing in a large shopping district in the suburbs of Cork city. The incident, which took place earlier this afternoon in the East Douglas area of the city, saw a man allegedly attacking another man in a suspected stabbing incident before fleeing the scene. Gardaí have confirmed that they have attended the scene of an incident on East Douglas Street in Cork this afternoon. However, they say no further information is available at this time. Local Labour councillor Peter Horgan says the incident is a shocking one, which has happened at a busy shopping and dining district in the middle of the day. 'It's a busy footfall area in the village, it's very concerning that this happened,' said Horgan, who was one of many councillors who recently attended a Community Policing Forum in the area. 'It's very shocking to have this in the middle of the Easter Holidays with families around the village. I was down there earlier today at lunchtime and you could see families enjoying the last few days for the holidays, so this isn't 3am after a feed of drink kind of thing, this is in the middle of the day and is very concerning for people in the community. 'All I would say at this stage is that: anyone who was in the vicinity at the time should make themselves known to gardaí. Anyone going to the village may consider alternative routes. 'The gardaí need to be given time to investigate the incident but in my experience they are absolutely dedicated to ensuring the criminals that might want to take advantage of our society are brought to heel.' Gardaí were seen questioning a man just before 5pm this evening, in an area cordoned off by an alleyway that connects the car park at the old Douglas cinema, and the main street of the village. Gardaí have also contacted local businesses in the area as part of their investigation.
