Council trying to get rid of market traders to make way for giant shopping complex
A planning application for a giant shopping complex between Moore St and O'Connell St in Dublin is due in the coming days, and the market traders on Moore St fear it will spell the end of their centuries-old tradition. The development is being billed as the largest property development in Irish history, costing a reported €600 million.
The market traders have been using lock-ups on O'Rahilly Parade, just off Moore St, since 1985. Prior to that date, their lock-ups were situated where the ILAC Centre now is. Dublin City Council has informed the traders that alternative lock-ups will not be provided for them once building work starts on the planned development. The traders say that without lock-ups, they will go out of business.
In recent years, the east side of Moore Street has seen the opening of numerous shops and restaurants run by members of Dublin's immigrant communities. Every single one of these shops is now closed, to make way for the planned development. The last one closed on January 15th. The developer in question is Joe O'Reilly, the man responsible for Dundrum "Town Centre".
Do we want yet another giant shopping centre? Do we want to see the Moore St traders replaced by more high-class boutiques and over-priced cafes?
To find out more and to get involved in opposing this plan and helping the traders, please come along to a meeting at the Teachers Club (Parnell Square) this Thursday at 6pm. Several of the market traders will be there to explain the latest in their negotiations with Dublin City Council and property developer Joe O'Reilly.
More information will follow. Watch this space.