Wednesday, September 10, 2014
DAviD MitChell tAlks About his lAtest novel pAGE 21
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THe fuTure of HealTH care pAGE 23
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Gun DeaTHs rise as GanGs use More leTHal Weapons
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THe Darker si De of « racHel « McaDaMs
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‘Don’t leave social housing to chance’
President Michael d Higgins has said he hopes the lessons of doomed and delayed housing regeneration schemes have been learned. Opening part of the rebuilt st Michael’s estate in inchicore, dublin – now known as thornton Heights – the President praised the tenacity of local women who helped keep the project on track. the €16.9million redevelopment is just two acres of a 14-acre site and is home to ten houses and 65 apartments, a creche and community centre. President Higgins said too many draft plans for the betterment of st Michael’s estate had come to nothing since the 1990s. ‘too many new starts have been announced. too many times have st Michael’s estate’s residents’ hopes been dashed, their work and efforts gone to waste,’ he said. ‘there was a squandering of trust and
by con DoHerTy
of the hard-won relationships that had been forged over the years. ‘the housing needs of the residents were left to the fortunes of speculative ventures. But that now is the past, from which – i hope – we have learned.’ the new thornton Heights homes – named after dr Brigid Lyons thornton, a doctor and distinguished member of Cumann na mBan – form a secure, natural courtyard with three playgrounds for different age groups. the regeneration of st Michael’s began 12 years ago with construction only starting in 2010 after a public-private partnership with developer Bernard Mcnamara failed.
Playtime: Chelsea Fahy, 8, Angela Mikailu, 11, and Fikewa, 8, and Fikunwa Popoola, 10 Picture conor Mccabe
Ireland’s Favourite Venue. Remastered. #3Arena Keep Dublin tidy – Please recycle this Metro Herald when you are finished with it