Much-needed public toilets could soon be back on the streets of Dublin if a pilot scheme to reopen facilities near Trinity College is a success.
For years a haven for drug addicts, 11 conveniences were closed over the last decade or so as people became afraid to use them opting instead to call into pubs, shops and department stores.
Now the City Council is planning to bring them back starting with manned 24-hour unisex toilets above the disused, underground facility at the junction of College Street and Westmoreland Street.
A spokeswoman described the area of the toilets as high demand, only yards from the night spots of Temple Bar and the Nite-link bus terminus.
Council officials have already held talks with gardaí in Pearse Street to increase policing at the facility, especially in the early stages of its opening.
And after a year, if the pilot scheme is deemed safe it could be rolled out right across the city centre.
The redevelopment will include a kiosk manned 24 hours a day, two unisex toilets, one of which with wheelchair access, baby changing facilities, telephone boxes and a service enclosure.
A second unit will include a screened urinal area with hand washing/drying facilities and a water fountain.
The council was forced to close down nine public toilets in the city centre over the last decade.
Two automatic public conveniences on Burgh Quay also had to be shut down.
PA