A lawsuit has been filed by a property developer against a local resident who attempted to secure monetary compensation for dropping an appeal against a housing project in south Dublin.
The resident demanded a fee of €50,000, labelled as a “consultancy” fee, in return for withdrawing his objection to the proposed growth of a new apartment block. Red Rock Developments aimed to add another level to their 77-flat building located at Elmpark Green on Merrion Road. In the previous November, the developer had submitted an application to gain planning permission to raise the completed nine-storey building by adding a floor which would include two luxury apartments.
Headline News:
– Simon Harris, the anticipated next taoiseach, is under intra-party pressure to implement measures supporting small businesses ahead of the summer, in a bid by Fine Gael to solidify backing from small enterprises and their operators.
– According to Daft.ie, as the supply of houses up for sale drops to an unprecedented low, sellers have again raised the asking prices in the first quarter of 2024.
– A garda has received a half-year jail sentence for stealing a €70 exhibit of cannabis from the station while intoxicated during her shift. She had sent a picture of the drugs to her partner with a text message saying: “Baby, I got you this”.
– Unions representing nearly 385,000 workers in the civil and public sectors are backing a deal that over the next 2½ years will provide pay rises ranging from a minimum of 10.25% up to 17.3%.
News from across the globe.
The unfortunate Israel-Hamas conflict echoed at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza where children lay in bed weak, with breathing difficulties, and intravenous lines in their arms, observed by Jamie McGoldrick, the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, a shocking incident occurred in Baltimore, Maryland when a cargo ship hit Key Bridge, leading to its collapse. Numerous vehicles and people were witnessed falling into the water.
In surprising financial news, a Revolut customer unintentionally donated a hefty amount of over €400 to the Red Cross, which was more than she could afford.
Opinions varied wide on several topics such as the adept survival skill of Simon Harris, the lack of emphasis on climate change by Sadhbh O’Neill despite this being the warmest year, and a debate by Louise Campell and Des O’Neill on the possibility of legalising assisted dying.
On economic matters, Fiona Reddan highlights the Irish tax code advantages for married couples in her article.
In sports, Gerry Thornley shares the potential impact of the proposed changes in World Rugby’s Council meeting on the game, particularly the lowering of tackle height and the 20-minute red card trial.
Lastly, culture and lifestyle headlines revealed a developer suing a resident who demanded payment to withdraw a housing objection, and inquiries on when public workers can anticipate their pay rise.
Virgin Media’s latest thriller, The Vanishing Triangle, has garnered heavy criticism for its distasteful approach to the topic of missing Irish women. Discharging an early disclaimer, it admits that whilst the series borrows elements from reality, it remains a work of fiction and should not be regarded as a true depiction of real persons or events. Though inspired by authentic occurrences, the show, which airs every Monday at 9 pm on Virgin Media One, has been deemed as a regrettable blunder.