After more than eight months of delay, the fitting of security gates in Harbour Court, a back alley in Dublin city centre notorious for drug use and littering, has finally commenced. This follows the decision made by Dublin city councillors in early January to shut Harbour Court down. Harbour Court is a T-shaped backstreet that has three entry points: Marlborough Street, opposite Abbey Theatre; near the Luas line at Wynn’s Hotel; and a third access point leading to Eden Quay.
Despite persistent cleaning efforts, often carried out by local businesses, the lane, which is situated close to O’Connell Street, remained littered with rubbish, drug-related items and excrement, creating an unsafe and unsanitary environment. In their pleas to the council, businesses highlighted daily occurrences of drug consumption and dealing, as well as assaults, indecency, and a threatening atmosphere for both employees and visitors.
Harbour Court serves mainly as staff and maintenance access to buildings, as well as for rubbish storage. Additionally, it offers an access route for wheelchair users to Wynn’s Hotel as no permanent wheelchair ramp is permitted at its front facade.
After the public right of way was revoked by the councillors in January, council officials agreed to install gates at the three entrances, restricting access to property owners, backstreet-located businesses and emergency services. After an extended acquisition and fabrication period, the two-metre-high steel gates, complete with sharp finials, are being fitted this week. Work on the Marlborough Street double gates is due to begin on Thursday. Installation of the electronic gates is projected to be completed by next week.
In a surprising turn of events, councillors voted in favour of developing a reopening plan for Harbour Court a month after its closure was decreed last February. This included installing new lighting, creating a mural, increasing Garda patrols, arranging for homeless outreach teams and establishing an addiction helpline. However, according to Frank Lambe, the council manager for the area, the decision to revoke the public right of way is final and irrevocable.