MetroLink Programme Director Seán Sweeney said the move would be far cheaper than the potential €1 billion in costs that delays could have caused. He also revealed that TII is now in discussions with residents of Glasnevin on Dublin’s northside, where a similar voluntary purchase scheme may be offered.
The Dartmouth Square agreement, announced on Christmas Eve, will allow TII to buy between 10 and 15 large redbrick homes backing onto the proposed Charlemont station. Residents agreed to withdraw their legal challenge in return. Each property is estimated to be worth between €300,000 and €400,000.
“This is a no-brainer,” said Mr Sweeney, noting that a judicial review could have delayed the project by one to two years. He stressed that the properties will be resold in the future and may be used to house workers during construction. “We’re buying assets that maintain value and may even increase once the station is complete,” he said.
