Decision on halfway house for alcoholics deferred

A DECISION on whether a controversial halfway house for recovering alcoholics can be built has been deferred for another three months, during which time those behind the project hope to allay fears of locals.

More than 50 people have objected to plans by the voluntary Clara Foundation to build a 10-bed rehabilitation and treatment centre at Station Road, Millstreet amid fears the organisation will start to treat drug addicts there.

Anthony Barry, a spokesman for the objectors, said the Clara Foundation’s mission statement was to treat chemically-dependent’ people, which encompassed drug users. He said it took five weeks and their objections before anybody from the foundation informed them of their plans. This lack of communication, he added, did nothing to allay locals’ fears.

“We have a genuine fear that they will treat drug users and we have a lot of young children living in the area,” said Mr Barry .

He added that while locals had no objection to a halfway house for recovering alcoholics being built in the town, he questioned why it would be built in a residential area when there was land available for such a facility at the local hospital.

Residents recently held a public meeting at which two representatives of the Clara Foundation attended, although Mr Barry said they still hadn’t allayed their fears.

A spokesman for the Clara Foundation admitted the organisation should have entered into dialogue with residents at a much earlier stage.

“All halfway houses are built in residential areas, because it’s a better way of introducing people back into a full role in society. We will not be treating drug addicts. There’re won’t be people running around sticking needles in their arms.”

If planning permission is granted and locals don’t lodge an objection with An Bord Pleanála, the Clara Foundation hopes to have the facility up and running next year.