Expanded Irish Jewish Museum 'creates a new and serious terrorist risk'
Gordon Deegan
A number of locals at Portobello in Dublin 8 have raised security concerns over plans to extend the Irish Jewish Museum.
In plans lodged with Dublin City Council, the Irish Jewish Museum is seeking to upgrade, expand and refurbish the existing museum at Walworth Road in Portobello, Dublin 8.
In recent days the Irish Jewish Museum has lodged revised plans with the Council on the application it first lodged last July.
In response to the initial plans, the Council received 15 submissions with a number expressing security concerns over the scheme along with planning issues.
The submissions were lodged last August as the Israel war in Gaza continued and against the background of rising antisemitism globally.
The Smillie family on Walworth Street told the council that the proposed development raises significant security and safety issues.
They state that “the security and safety concern centres on the fact that the proposed much enlarged Jewish Museum building will significantly increase its visibility and prominence, thereby creating a new and serious terrorist risk”.
The Smillie family added: “Unlike the current smaller museum, which fits discreetly within the existing environment and attracts little attention, the expanded and enlarged structure will stand out as a conspicuous symbol."
They further stated that “given the current volatile political climate in the Middle East, this prominent Jewish cultural building could become a very real target for politically motivated attacks, including terrorism, violent physical protests, or acts intended to make political statements”.
The Smillie family contended that “this heightened security risk arises specifically because the bigger, more noticeable museum changes its profile dramatically and introduces a threat that did not previously exist due to the more modest scale and low visibility of the current facility”.
In another, Ruth and Adrian Kenny of Kingsland Parade, Portobello told the Council that “the war in Israel, and the absence of an Israeli embassy in Dublin mean that protest may be directed at this new Jewish centre”.
They state that “heavy security will be inevitable, and protest demonstrations most likely. Walworth Road, a tiny residential street, is not the place for this development”.
Pauline Atkinson and James P Browne of Kingsland Parade, Portobello told the council that there are several young families living in the area and the proposed development if allowed the proceed “has the potential to be a target" and a risk to residents and their families.
Maurice McConnell of Walworth Rd, told the council “taking in consideration the current geopolitical climate prevailing it would not be unreasonable for the immediate residents feeling exposed to a possible criminal attack on the IJM (Irish Jewish Museum)”.
Paula Burke and Gerry Browne of Walworth Rd stated that “the development as proposed in this application, in a residential area, could pose a security risk for the residents”.
Portobello resident and leader of the Labour Party, Ivana Bacik TD told the council that she is fully supportive of proposals to ensure sustainable development of the Irish Jewish Museum.
Deputy Bacik stated that the Museum “is an important amenity and real asset to the local community. Its siting on Walworth Road, where a synagogue was previously located, represents a vital acknowledgement of the rich heritage and long history of the Jewish community in the Portobello area of Dublin”.
Deputy Bacik stated that “local residents greatly value the continued presence of the Museum in our area”.
Deputy Bacik stated that further information was required on aspects of the proposal and in response to local concerns, the Council did seek further information with revised plans lodged on December 4th.
In a submission lodged with Dublin City Council, ODA Architecture state that “the proposed redevelopment represents a sensitive and necessary enhancement to the Irish Jewish Museum, ensuring its continued role as a cultural and educational institution of national significance”.
The purpose of the development is to refurbish existing premises at 3 and 4 Walworth Rd and extend them to No 5 to create additional exhibition space and for modern facilities, entrance area and safe access and accessible routes.
ODA Architecture state that the existing museum has approximately 3,500 visitors per annum and is open one day a week and by special appointment.
The architects state that the proposed expanded museum is projected to have approximately 10,000 visitors per annum and propose to have five full time staff and five volunteers.
The proposed museum will open five days a week from 9.30am – 5.30pm and half day 9.30am -1pm.
The Council is now accepting new submissions on the new information lodged until January 2nd with a decision due later in January.
