A campaign group is urging MetroLink planners not to demolish a housing complex and leisure centre in Dublin City Centre.

Around 1,600 people have signed a petition calling for a halt to the plans.

Under the proposals, 70 apartments and a pool and gym complex on Townsend Street could be knocked down.

It would come as part of plans to make way for the new rail line linking Dublin Airport to the city.

The Markievicz Leisure Centre was refurbished at a cost of €1 million just two years ago.

The National Transport Authority says it is considering issues raised along the route and will publish revised proposals shortly.

This building containing 70 apartments, a pool and a gym, is to be demolished for MetroLink. Local residents and the users of the leisure centre are marching on the Dáil this evening to show their opposition: pic.twitter.com/1KXrqJpSH3

— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) February 26, 2019

"Surely there must be another way"

This evening, protesters marched from the Markievicz building to the Dáil.

The Save Markievicz Pool and Gym campaign group wants officials to reconsider the current MetroLink demolition plans.

One protester explained: "We haven't heard any type of assurance about what's going.

"We want to hear assurances they're not going to destroy the leisure centre and apartments above it."

Another added: "Surely there must be another way or another route, rather than demolishing a building that's only been refurbished within the last two years."

Martin O’Quigley, one of the campaigners, said the leisure centre is a "vital facility" for those who live and work in the capital.

He observed: "It’s the only public swimming pool in the city that is actually open on a daily basis. The centre is an extremely important social outlet for the community where people of all ages can learn to swim.

"We question why one of the several derelict sites in the surrounding area have not been designated for the new MetroLink station instead.

"We call on [Transport Infrastructure Ireland] and Dublin City Council to change their plans now."

Main image: 26/02/2019 Save Markievicz Pool and Gym campaign demonstration. Pictured are demonstrators from the Save Markievicz Pool and Gym campaign group, who marched from the Markievicz Leisure Centre, Luke Street to the Dáil, to protest proposals to demolish the building to build an underground MetroLink station. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie