South Dublin inner city residents held a street carnival demonstration on the site of a proposed apartment complex yesterday in protest against high-rise developments in the area.
Up to 400 people, including community activists and local schoolchildren, gathered at Moss Street, off George's Quay, where a 17-storey luxury apartment block is to be built.
They carried banners calling for better planning, a limit on the height of new developments and the creation of affordable housing which would enable local people to stay in the area.
Mr Derek Murphy, secretary of the Combined Community Association and a resident of Townsend Street, said if the George's Quay complex went ahead, it would open the floodgates to other high-rise blocks. "There is no benefit to the local community. The only person to gain is the developer."
Mrs Alice Bollard (75), who has lived on Moss Street all her life, said developments had reduced the natural light getting into in her flat.
"Our light has almost gone completely and if this comes in I'll have to have the lights on all the time.
"We don't mind office blocks but not skyscrapers."
Residents said the complex would cast a shadow over the local City Quay primary school and the Custom House across the river at certain times of the year.
Mrs Phyllis O'Connell, of Markievicz House flats, wanted to move into a house in the area but there was none available.
"I have a husband and five children, one of whom is mentally handicapped with a heart condition, and we're living in a two-bedroom flat.
"We've no proper bathroom and the kitchen is only a box," she said. "This land should be used for houses for local people. I don't want to have to move out of the area. All my family and friends are here."
Mr Lorcan Healy, a local publican, said people were not opposed to the development but it should be done sensitively.
"There is a potentially positive aspect to the building but it should be seen to benefit everyone. Consideration has to be given to the local people and the architecture in the area."
