Stoneybatter Matters – July 2025

ELECTED LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN

It’s the greatest honour to serve as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin — a city I love and that has shaped me. I feel a deep sense of duty to represent all Dubliners, to celebrate what’s best about our capital, and to work together to tackle the challenges we face. I would not have this opportunity were it not for the support I received from you over the last sixteen years by your voting for me to serve as your local Councillor. For that, I want to say thank you and I will do everything I can to be a Lord Mayor worthy of you and our city!

Following my election, I launched five key initiatives under the theme Celebrating Dublin:

• a bold Dublin 2050 vision to reimagine our city centre;
• a major push to tackle vacancy and dereliction through a public vacancy map and a new reuse-focused team;
• the Get Dublin Moving campaign to activate our Sports & Wellbeing Plan locally;
• a Disability Inclusion Drive to ensure Dublin works for everyone;
• and a platform called Young Dubliners Speak, giving younger voices real influence.

These are about action, ambition and civic pride — and I will work across the Council, with national Government and city neighbourhoods and communities, to get results.

Throughout the year ahead, I will champion a safer, cleaner, more vibrant city. That means backing the City Centre Taskforce implementation — not just for policing, but for better lighting, cleaner streets, and more public activity. I’ll advocate for public space projects like College Green and O’Connell Street to move from talk to delivery, and push to turn vacant buildings into homes and hubs of community life. Whether it’s leading the St. Patrick’s Day Parade or attending local festivals here in Stoneybatter and across the North Inner City, I will work to reignite a sense of civic pride in our capital. Because when we invest in our streets, our neighbourhoods, and in one another — Dublin becomes a city we can all be proud to call home.

CHICKEN LANE UPDATE

As many of you know, I have long advocated for the compulsory purchase of the under-used lands on Chicken Lane by Dublin City Council. Since my election last week as Lord Mayor of Dublin, I have met with the Head of the Planning Department and followed up directly with the City Valuer to progress this proposal. I am pleased to report that the City Valuer has confirmed his position, stating that “there is a strong case for Dublin City Council to endeavour to acquire the site by agreement” and, if necessary, “to proceed to a CPO.” Should this acquisition proceed successfully, the site could be used to deliver either a City Council-led housing project or an appropriate private residential development. In addition, I am working to ensure that — following any potential CPO — Dublin City Council would prepare the site for a meanwhile use as a civic space for the benefit of the local community. Please be assured that, both as Lord Mayor and your local Councillor, I will keep you updated on all developments. Separately, I have also asked the Traffic Advisory Group to recommend the installation of Double Yellow Lines along Chicken Lane, to address the ongoing issue of illegal parking and road obstruction.

MULTI-USE GAMES AREA in DRUMALEE

As Lord Mayor, I was absolutely delighted to formally re-open the reimagined and improved Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Drumalee. More than twelve years ago, I worked alongside Minister Paschal Donohoe and the then Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, to help secure the original funding for this facility — so it’s especially gratifying to see it now getting a new lease of life. This revitalisation is thanks to a fantastic local initiative involving Montpelier FC and St. Brendan’s GAA Club. Delivering on Dublin City Council’s Sports Plan is a key priority for me as Lord Mayor — and that means ensuring our local clubs and young people have access to safe, high-quality facilities where they can train, play, and thrive. Given the continued growth and success of both clubs in attracting new members, I’ve no doubt that this MUGA will be well-used and well-loved for many years to come.

STONEYBATTER TRAFFIC MATTERS

At its most recent monthly meeting, the Traffic Advisory Group of Dublin City Council made a number of recommendations affecting streets across Stoneybatter. A request for the introduction of Pay & Display and Permit Parking on Ashford Street and Arklow Street will now proceed to the next stage, which involves a formal ballot of residents on each street. Separately, a series of new traffic-calming measures are being recommended for Arbour Hill, beyond the Garrison Church, to help slow vehicles. Engineers are currently finalising these proposals, and I would be happy to share them with you — please email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com if you would like a copy. Finally, regarding the stretch of Arbour Hill between Ard Righ Road and the junction with Manor Street, Traffic Engineers are preparing options to address ongoing issues with rat-running and excessive speeding. As Lord Mayor, I have spoken directly with the City Engineer and his team to ensure this matter is treated as a priority.

BIKE BUNKERS COMING TO DUBLIN – STONEYBATTER TO BE PRIORITISED

I’m pleased to report that Dublin City Council has now formally awarded the contract for the Bike Bunkers project to Bleeper, following the successful completion of the procurement process. This initiative will deliver around 300 secure bicycle storage units across the city, offering safe, lockable options for residents who don’t have access to indoor bike storage. As Lord Mayor, I will shortly launch the contract and formally establish the project, and I expect to meet with the contractor and Council officials in the coming days to confirm the rollout schedule. I will be working to ensure that Stoneybatter is prioritised in the initial phase of the rollout, and I’ll keep you updated as timelines are confirmed.

MAJOR EXPANSION OF CITY CENTRE CLEANING SET TO BEGIN

Dublin City Council will shortly launch a major expansion of its 24-hour street cleaning service, increasing the city centre cleaning zone by over 70% to now include areas like Bolton Street, Dorset Street, Gardiner Street and Talbot Street. This enhanced service includes more frequent litter bin collections (rising from 684 to 920), new cleaning equipment, and 50 additional staff working around the clock to keep the city clean. As Lord Mayor, I have requested that the Waste Management team review bin capacity and cleaning frequency in and around Stoneybatter — particularly on busy routes like Arbour Hill, Aughrim Street and Manor Place — to ensure our neighbourhood continues to receive the attention it needs. These efforts reflect the strong sense of civic pride that defines our community, and our shared commitment to keeping Stoneybatter clean, vibrant and welcoming for all. In addition, a pilot CCTV scheme aimed at tackling illegal dumping is due to commence shortly in parts of the North Inner City. While initial technical delays required changes to pole infrastructure, solar-powered CCTV units will now be installed on standalone poles. If successful, I will be pressing for an expansion of this enforcement tool into areas like Stoneybatter where illegal dumping remains a persistent issue. I anticipate further changes will be introduced in early autumn that will directly impact the quality of street cleaning in Stoneybatter, and I will provide further specific details on this as your local Councillor and as Lord Mayor of Dublin.

FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKET REFURBISHMENT

Work has officially commenced on the long-awaited redevelopment of the Victorian Fruit and Vegetable Market in Smithfield. Closed since 2019, the 127-year-old redbrick landmark will be transformed into a vibrant food retail destination, with space for up to 88 traders, cafés, restaurants, a demonstration kitchen, and a community event space. Dublin City Council has appointed Purcell Construction as the main contractor for the €44 million restoration, which includes extensive roof and structural repairs, conservation works, and the revitalisation of the 2,500 sq.m adjoining yards. Once completed, the revamped market will prioritise affordable, locally-sourced Irish produce and incorporate eco-friendly design features. The redevelopment is being part-funded by a €30 million loan approved by city councillors earlier this year, with repayments to be covered by future rental income and profit-sharing arrangements. As Lord Mayor, I will formally mark the start of construction next month and as your local Councillor, I will continue to keep you updated as work progress on this exciting North Inner City project.

GREENING STONEYBATTER

Last month, Dublin City Council’s Parks Department circulated information about the next phase of on-street tree planting along Oxmantown Road, Manor Place, and Ross Street — part of our ongoing Greening Stoneybatter initiative. If you didn’t receive the leaflet at your home, you can find full details at www.RayMcAdam.com. I’d really value your feedback on these proposed interventions. Please feel free to email your thoughts to me directly at RayMcAdam@gmail.com. And if there are other improvements you’d like to see progressed as part of the Greening Stoneybatter strategy — or ideas for enhancing your own street — I’d be delighted to hear from you. Let’s keep working together to green and improve our neighbourhood.

STONEYBATTER MOBILE GARDA CLINICS

As part of ongoing community outreach in the area, the Bridewell Community Policing Team will be hosting Garda Mobile Clinics in Stoneybatter on Tuesday, 22nd July. The first clinic will take place on Aughrim Street outside Manor Takeaway from 10.30am to 11.30am, followed by a second session at the Blackhall flat complex from 11.45am to 12.45pm. These clinics are a great opportunity to speak directly with your local Gardaí, raise any concerns, and receive advice on community safety issues.