Outrage as Dublin City Council refuses to name housing complex after Irish Olympic hero

Dublin City Council has rejected proposals to name a new public housing complex after two-time Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington . Despite several motions put forward at Monday's monthly meeting, senior management refused to name the mid-size housing and apartment development after the local hero.

The complex is being constructed near Harrington's childhood home in Portland Row , close to her current residence. Harrington recently retired from amateur boxing after securing consecutive Olympic gold medals at the 2021 Tokyo Games and in France last month.

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and independent councilor for the north inner city, Christy Burke, expressed disbelief at the decision , stating it was "is unbelievable" given Harrington's achievements. He added that the council was "insulting Kellie even more" as she and her wife Mandy had recently renovated a 19th-century house in Portland Row.

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While acknowledging the council's policy not to name public housing developments or parks after individuals for 20 years, Cllr Burke called for this rule to be changed. He highlighted that private developments can be named after anyone a developer chooses, making the public rule "an insult to Kellie especially", who had previously been awarded the freedom of the city by the council.

Cllr Burke remarked, "The rules of not naming a public development or place after some living and creating modern living history are archaic. It's not every year Dublin and indeed the entire country achieves two Olympic golds in a row," and added, "This motion or request is supported by inner-city residents who are in disbelief that the council won't acknowledge the history that Kellie has created. These insulting rules need to be reviewed immediately," reports the Irish Mirror .

The council has been approached for a statement on why it rejected the motions put forward by the councilors, which were also proposed by Sinn Fein members.

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