Full steam ahead as residents drop challenge to MetroLink
A judicial review that was feared would delay Dublin’s MetroLink has been dropped after mediation between residents of Dartmouth Square and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), writes Jamie McCarron.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien welcomed the news yesterday that the group of 20 residents in the Dublin 6 suburb were withdrawing their legal action.
The residents live close to the planned Charlemont terminus at the southern end of the line, and lodged the judicial review with the High Court in November against An Coimisiún Pleanála’s granting of a railway order for the project.
Locals said they feared noise pollution, anti-social behaviour and a long construction period associated with the Charlemont terminus would lower their property values.
A hearing date for the case was set for March 2026; however, it was announced at the start of this month that residents were “agreeable to entering into mediation”, the law firm representing them had said.
Minister O’Brien said yesterday: “I’m delighted this mediation process has resulted in an early Christmas present for us all, with the news of the withdrawal of the judicial review proceedings against MetroLink.
“It means we can enter the New Year with renewed optimism for delivery of this transformative project.
“Today’s announcement means we now have a clean planning decision which will give everyone the certainty needed about next steps.”
In a video on social media, Mr O’Brien also described the plan as “transformative for the north Dublin area and the region” and said the project could continue “full-steam ahead”.
The planned 19km route will be operated by fully automated train cars on a mostly underground track connecting Swords to Dublin city centre, and linking directly with Dublin Airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas and bus services.
The MetroLink’s southernmost station would be located just metres from the rear gardens of some Dartmouth Square residents in Ranelagh, many of whom already objected to the plan during previous planning phases.
TII CEO Lorcan O’Connor said he had met with residents over recent days and “listened to their concerns first-hand”.
“I greatly appreciate their constructive approach, which has led to agreements that work for all sides. This is another significant step forward for Ireland’s largest infrastructure project,” he said.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien. (Pic: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie)
MetroLink programme director Seán Sweeney also welcomed the news and said focus could be placed on procurement now the review would not proceed.
“With this matter resolved, our focus now is on progressing enabling works and advancing procurement, with contract notices for the main civil works packages to be issued in Q1 2026,” he said.
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