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.
The 19-kilometre MetroLink line will run from Charlemont to Swords, with stops including Dublin Airport, Dublin City University, and the Mater Hospital. Mr Sweeney said the purchase scheme is still evolving, with residents able to exercise the option to sell their homes over the next two years.
He confirmed that the value of any property will be independently assessed to ensure a fair and transparent process. While publicity around Dartmouth Square may encourage other residents along the route to request voluntary purchases, Mr Sweeney said there will be criteria based on the level of impact to determine eligibility.
Similar arrangements are expected for the Dalcassian Downs apartment complex in Glasnevin, where residents face significant disruption due to the nearby construction. Labour TD Marie Sherlock said it is important these residents receive terms as fair as those offered in Dartmouth Square, including support to remain in their communities or relocate to comparable housing.
Mr Sweeney added that TII has yet to decide exactly how the acquired homes will be used but may consider them for project accommodation or administration staff. He also said the project will go out to tender soon, but final costs will not be known until contractors submit proposals, likely in late 2027 or early 2028.
Construction on the first phase of MetroLink could begin by late 2028, with the first trains expected to operate in the mid-2030s. The removal of the judicial review has already improved both the timeline and estimated costs of the project, Mr Sweeney noted.
