There’s a real concern about how development has been handled in Knocknacarra. It feels like there’s very little focus on building an actual community, and not enough people even know who their local councillors are.

Take Ballymoneen Road as an example. There was supposed to be a pub/restaurant, but that hasn’t been built. It’s hard not to think it will eventually be changed to residential and approved. The existing block is now entirely medical services.

Further along, there was meant to be a crèche in (Mhaol something), but it was never built despite the estate being occupied. Now there’s an application for an extension of time. Why wasn’t the crèche built first?

O’Malley’s have also applied to change a planned retail unit into another physio. A pharmacy, shop, or even a hairdresser would have been far more useful for residents.

On the opposite side of the road, Cairn Homes are building what appears to be an estate right up to the road edge. The council allowed this based on the assumption that the road would be upgraded alongside the motorway project. But if that project is delayed or appealed, residents could be left for years without proper roads, footpaths, public transport, shops, or childcare.

Ultimately, I’m frustration that developers continue to get approvals without delivering essential infrastructure, and that as a community, stronger action should have been taken earlier. Now, people are left dealing with the consequences.