Members of Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Louth have condemned the decision by Louth County Council to grant planning permission for 1,058 houses on lands surrounding the historic Cú Chulainn’s Castle in Dundalk.

The decision has drawn considerable backlash from An Taisce, Mythical Ireland and kickstarted a grassroots campaign which has garnered over 10,000 signatures and dozens of submissions. CATU Louth say Louth County Council have favoured the interests of Granspect Ltd over the community.

CATU Ireland has stated that it believes in a model of universal public housing when it comes to the housing question, a position founded in opposition to private housing market solutions. Commenting on the union’s stance, CATU Louth chair Rachel said “For decades the default position for governments on this island has been to allow the private market to provide housing solutions. The result has been unaffordable housing, record homelessness and widespread eviction.” 

Stating that public money has been used to shore up the private landlord-driven market via HAP and other schemes instead of funding state-owned public housing, CATU argues there are many avenues that could be used to build or provide public housing:

• Using existing money that is propping up the private market through schemes like build-to-rent and boosting sham ‘social housing’ statistics.

• Seizing empty properties.

• Taking common ownership of properties owned by large landlords.

• Taxing wealthy individuals and tax-evading multinational corporations.

• State borrowing at a significantly cheaper rate than the private sector. 

Rachel further remarked: “While it may appear illogical for a tenants union to oppose new housing during a housing crisis, our position is that the only needs being served by this decision are the needs of a private developer to make money at the expense of our heritage.” 

Rachel continued “I went to school in the area and Cú Chulainn’s Castle is a beloved local landmark which should not be up for grabs to the highest bidder. The land is for the people and the people have spoken: Build public housing, take back derelict buildings and preserve our heritage.”