Judicial review proceedings into Metrolink have been withdrawn

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien shared the good news.

A number of south Dublin residents lodged the application for a judicial review of An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision to approve the project.

The €9.5 billion project will have a terminus around Charlemont.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) had previously said it "regrets the inevitable delay that will result”.

However, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien took to social media yesterday evening sharing the good news on the Metrolink.

He confirmed that the “mediation process has worked and the judicial review has been withdrawn”.

“We’re now full steam ahead to tender and deliver this transformative project for North Dublin, Dublin city and the wider region,” he said.

Described by the minister as an “early Christmas present for us all”, adding that it “means we can enter the New Year with renewed optimism as regards delivery of this transformative project”.

Minister O'Brien continued: “This Government has committed dedicated funding towards the project and we’re committed to establishing a dedicated delivery body to oversee the project’s construction, while next year will see the first steps taken in relation to procurement."

"We now have a clean planning decision which will give everyone the certainty needed about next steps," he concluded.

The resolution means a High Court hearing has been avoided.

The residents reasoning for the judicial review application was that Charlemont was the wrong location for a terminus.

They complained that nearby streets nearby were too small and already congested, saying this would add and create issues for the local community.

CEO of TII, Lorcan O’Connor, recently met with Dartmouth Square residents and “listened to their concerns first-hand”.

He added that he appreciated their “constructive approach, which has led to agreements that work for all sides”.

Furthermore, MetroLink Programme Director, Seán Sweeney, added that the withdrawal of the review “provides clarity for the programme and the market at a critical point in its development”.

He added: “With this matter resolved, our focus now is on progressing enabling works and advancing procurement, with contract notices for the main civil works packages to be issued in Q1 2026."

Works on the Metrolink is expected to begin in 2028, with an aim for the underground rail to become operational in the 2030s.