10 December 2000

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Army barracks should be given by Government to Dublin City Council for social housing - not sold off

The Government has been urged to hand over Clancy Army Barracks at Islandbridge to Dublin Corporation for social housing and sports facilities rather than sell it on the open market to commercial property developers.

The barracks is due to be vacated by the Department of Defence by March of next year.

At its meeting last Monday (4 December), Dublin City Council passed a Sinn Fein motion ``to purchase or acquire the site and refurbish it for social housing, community facilities and sports and leisure''.

Sinn Fein's Aengus Ó Snodaigh, who represents the Dublin South Central and Islandbridge area, welcomed Dublin City Council's unanimous backing for his proposal to acquire the site for social housing and recreation facilities.  He  said:

``Fatima Mansions is set on 11 acres; Clancy Barracks occupies 13 acres, so it could make a massive contribution to reducing the housing waiting list.

``The State has a duty to its citizens to ease the housing crisis - not to line the pockets of property speculators and developers.''  ENDS 4 Details: Aengus Ó Snodaigh @ 087 414 0856

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