Drug addicts, urine, fights, thefts, broken glass, litter, anti-social behaviour and graffiti
...welcome to the most dangerous place in our capital city
DRUG addicts romped, shot up, and defecated in a city centre laneway locals dubbed “the most dangerous place” in the capital.
The Irish Mirror visited Harbour Court yesterday and also heard how fights, thefts, antisocial behaviour and narcotic abuse have been an ongoing problem in the area for the last 30 years.
We were shown harrowing CCTV footage of a woman being punched in the face during an unprovoked attack last year and told how staff working in the vicinity are terrified especially at night-time.
Broken glass, alcohol cans, drug paraphernalia, and graffiti all littered the laneway that reeked of urine.
There are also multiple signs in the laneway urging people not to “pee or poop in this zone”. One says: “Warning!! Do not pee here! Electric Wiring Under. Potential Electrical Shock!!!”
Earlier this week, Dublin City Councillors voted to close Harbour Court to the public.
Gates will be installed in a matter of weeks on the T-shaped lane connecting Abbey Street, Marlborough Street and the Quays.
Businesses and residents who live or work inside will be the only ones with access.
Shops, pubs, and restaurants on Abbey Street, Eden Quay, Marlborough Street and O’connell Street all use the laneway as a back entrance to their premises, to take deliveries and leave out their waste for collection.
Fine Gael Councillor Ray Mcadam, who voted in favour of the lane’s closure, told the Irish Mirror: “I met the businesses on Abbey Street before Christmas.
“They spoke to me in the strongest terms possible detailing what and how the laneway was negatively impacting their business and the operation of their business and how it was affecting their staff and their customers.
“The laneway simply isn’t safe. It hasn’t been safe for the last 30 years.
“There are quite regular incidents of drug abuse, there have been physical altercations, there have been stabbings, assaults, people having sex. It’s also constantly used as a toilet.”
One barman, who works nearby, told how he saw a woman being punched in the face in the laneway before the thug turned his attention to his colleague who was outside having a smoke.
He said: “Drug addicts are trying to come into our premises every day to shoot up in the porch.”