As readers will be aware, a plan by a company called Townbe to use the former Crown Paints site in Coolock as a large IPAS centre was abandoned in May 2025.
That came in the middle of a prolonged High Court case taken by Alan Croghan and others, and thousands strong protests that peaked in July 2024.
This morning the owners, who are the Howard family, began to clear the site (see video below) and have announced that work proper is to commence on Monday, September 14.
The owners have promised to “keep the local community and elected representatives informed as that work develops”.
The Coolock Garda Superintendent Ronan Barry who has been liaising with the local community over the past two years has personally assured them that there is no intention ever to use the development as an IPAS centre.
The site is currently zoned for “mixed-use development” compliant with the Dublin City Development Plan.
The current proposal has yet to commence the planning process during which people will be able to make submissions.