Large-scale casino plans in the western suburbs of Cork have been shelved due to worries that the establishment will be “adult oriented” and hence have a “high potential for nuisance,” reports The Irish Examiner.
It was one of the justifications given by city planners for Coalquay Leisure Limited’s denial of authorization for the proposed Ballincollig site.
The firm had requested for permission to build a sizable casino in the town’s Westside Retail Park. In the planning paperwork, the company portrayed itself as “experienced operators” of gambling and entertainment arcades throughout the nation, reports The Irish Examiner.
It requested approval to convert an empty space in the shopping center—which had housed Fehily’s Fitness—into a gaming and entertainment arcade.
The firm claimed in its planning application that it ran “Goldrush Casinos” in Cork, Dublin, and a number of town centres, including Carlow, Naas, Ennis, Athy, and Wexford. It further claimed that each of these locations “operates successfully and positively contributes to a broad mix of uses” in these metropolitan areas.
However, there was a vigorous local campaign opposing the planned construction in Ballincollig, and a letter encouraging locals to resist was issued anonymously. Numerous individuals submitted official objections, reports The Irish Examiner.
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