Accommodation for up to 600 Special Olympics athletes and their coaches is in doubt following an objection by a local resident.
Trinity College had offered the use of its student accommodation at Trinity Hall in Dartry to the organisers of the Special Olympics, which are taking place in Dublin over a fortnight from June 23rd.
However, Mr Michael Gleeson, secretary to the college, confirmed yesterday that although it had been granted permission by Dublin City Council to accommodate the Olympians there, that decision had been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
"The residences are meant to be used by Trinity students only, so we had sought planning permission to allow it to be used by the athletes.
"The matter is now before An Bord Pleanála, since last week," he said. "It's very, very regrettable and very disappointing from our point of view."
He said he hoped a decision would come in time for the organisers to either take up the offer or, if necessary, make alternative arrangements. The accommodation is being offered to the games on a free basis.
A spokesman for An Bord Pleanála confirmed an objection had been received on April 30th from one local resident, on the grounds of traffic congestion and alteration works to the entrance to Trinity Hall.
"Normally we work on making decisions inside an 18-week timeframe," he said. However, it is understood the body is expediting its consideration of the case to give a final decision in time for the games.
