Council wants developer to leave projects

Dublin City Council is to ask developer Bernard McNamara to withdraw from two large regeneration projects.

But the council says it may be possible to proceed on two others.

The announcement came as hundreds of residents from St Michael's Estate, Dominick Street flats and O'Devaney Gardens protested outside a meeting of Dublin city councillors.

In a statement the council says there has been no meaningful progress made in discussions with the developer in relation to the St Michael's Estate and Dominick Street projects.

The council wants him to withdraw from the schemes and allow it to start negotiations with the second bidders.

Assistant Manager Ciaran McNamara told the city council that the developer is in a position to proceed with the Convent Lands scheme which includes 179 residential units and a civic centre.

The Assistant Manager said a two-week deadline has been imposed for discussions on the O'Devaney Gardens concerning the cost of increased apartment sizes.

Mr McNamara said the developer's proposals for the Infirmary Road project are not acceptable as they do not conform with the signed contract for 130 affordable homes and 32 private units.

He said the council is considering remedies available but are considering mediation rather than legal processes.

He also said the council are setting up a special unit to deal with all the projects and come up with alternative plans where necessary.

But Rita Fagan a spokeswoman for St Michael's Estate residents said they are outraged that the council has not sorted out the collapse of the agreements relating to three of the schemes.

She called on Environment Minister John Gormley to intervene.