Efforts to establish a gambling arcade on Ballyfermot Road have reignited tensions in the west Dublin suburb, as residents and local representatives express deep frustration over the latest attempt to redevelop the former butcher shop at 304 Ballyfermot Road. Although a previous planning application from Ger Ryan was withdrawn after strong local objection, a near-identical proposal has since been filed under the name Alejandro Garcia, leaving many feeling that their concerns are being dismissed.

Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said he “couldn’t believe it” when he learned that a fresh submission had been lodged. “When the last one was rejected on a technicality, I thought great. But then to hear about it again, I was frustrated, I was angry. But you have to channel that energy into something positive,” he said, according to the Irish Independent.

Doolan reiterated to residents that the renewed application marks the third attempt within a month to bring an arcade to the site, emphasizing that such a business “has nothing to offer this community.” He—and many in the area—believes Ballyfermot needs shops and services that benefit families, not additional gambling outlets.

Locals Mobilize to Halt the Proposal

A packed meeting of residents gathered at the Ballyfermot Civic Centre as Sinn Féin hosted a public discussion to explain the planning process and the implications of the arcade application. Doolan said the event was the first step in a broader campaign involving schools, youth services, local drugs projects, and gardaí to demonstrate the strength of opposition. He also warned that vigilance will be needed to ensure that An Coimisiún Pleanála does not later reinstate a rejected decision.

“Gambling has nothing to offer this community. I have seen gambling bring whole families to their knees,” he said. “Gambling addiction brings nothing but misery and debt to families and their communities.”

He added that Ballyfermot already has an excess of betting shops: “We have too many bookies and betting shops here in Ballyfermot. It is time for us to say enough is enough.”

Doolan also raised concerns about the impact on young people in a working-class community already familiar with addiction challenges. He warned that having an arcade positioned centrally among schools, churches, and drug support services increases the likelihood of harm. “We don’t want any part of this in Ballyfermot. We want to move away from that toward a bright future, rather than become a haven for gambling,” he said.

City Development Plan at Center of Dispute

Green Party councillor Ray Cunningham also objected to the proposal, highlighting that gambling establishments are not permitted in this zoning category. “The reason why gambling establishments are not permissible uses in [Zone 4] areas, is that these establishments are a plague on communities,” he wrote.

However, the planning statement submitted by Coakley O’Neill Planning argues that the development would benefit the local economy by bringing a long-vacant unit back into use. The firm stated that the project would “respond to a recent trend in closures in the local area,” referencing a couple of shuttered bingo venues, Gala Bingo Hall and Win-Win Bingo. According to the statement, the arcade would generate seven full-time jobs at launch, with additional employment supported during the fit-out phase.

“This would help to retain and revitalize the mixed-use character of the area while also animating the public realm by contributing to an animated streetscape within a retail and commercial core,” the planning document said.

At the same time, the firm acknowledged that the city development plan presumes against locating gaming arcades near schools and churches—of which both exist just east of the proposed site.

As the December 10 submission deadline approaches, community organizers plan to “consolidate the campaign” and encourage residents to make their objections heard. Doolan summed up the prevailing sentiment at the public meeting: “Ballyfermot needs decent quality retail outlets that actually bring something to the economy of the area.”