An application to set up Ireland's first supervised injection facility in Dublin has been refused by planners.
Dublin City Council planners said there was an "overconcentration of social support services in the Dublin 8 area".
It said the planned facility for drug users at Merchant's Quay would "undermine the existing local economy" and efforts to develop tourism there.
The decision also claims the facility would have an "injurious impact on the local residential community and its residential amenities, and would hinder the future regeneration of the area".
The decision follows the objections of locals and businesses in the area.
Merchants Quay Ireland claimed the council's decision to refuse planning for the medically supervised injecting facility will "put lives at risk".
Paula Byrne, CEO of the homeless and drugs charity, said: “This decision by Dublin City Council is deeply disappointing. With one person a day in Ireland dying of a drug overdose, it will put vulnerable lives at greater risk.
“International evidence clearly demonstrates that supervised injecting facilities reduce public injecting, reduce risk of disease transmission, and most importantly, save lives."
She added: “We will review Dublin City Council’s decision and consider our next steps. In the meantime, we will continue to advocate for people in addiction, to ensure that they receive the care they deserve.”
Catherine Byrne, minister of state for drugs strategy, said she hopes Merchants Quay Ireland appeals the ruling to An Bord Pleanála.
She suggested a supervised injection centre would help curb the levels of antisocial behaviour associated with drug use in the area.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, she argued: "I just feel that we've let down the most vulnerable people in society - the people who, unfortunately, are dying on the streets of our city.
"It was an opportunity to make way for a medically supervised injection facility where these people's needs could be catered for, and help them on their journey through their addiction."
Councillors react
Meanwhile, the decision was welcomed by independent Councillor Cieran Perry - who said he was "delighted" with the refusal to grant planning permission.
He argued: "To propose spending €3 million on an injection centre to maintain people in addiction rather than properly funding drug rehabilitation as the only effective method of tackling addiction is scandalous.
“The proposal for an injection centre is a cynical attempt to hide the public face of drug abuse in Dublin instead of actually tackling the problem.
"A facility such as this also normalises and encourages drug use.”
Local Green Party councillors expressed their opposition to the council's decision.
It's disapointing permission has been refused for Medically Supervised Injection Centre. Put simply these services save lives.
The government need to show leadership here and meet with the HSE and Merchant’s Quay immediately to determine the next steps. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/OZBFzDzUi8— Patrick Costello TD (@Costellop) July 26, 2019
Councillor Michael Pidgeon said: "These facilities are a tried and tested way to save lives.
“Locally, we have big problems with needles on the street and public injecting. Nobody - especially younger Dubliners - should be exposed to such practices.
"A delay in this much-needed facility will only see those problems worsen for local residents and those facing addiction alike.”
Social Democrats Councillor Gary Gannon said it was a "regressive, small-minded decision", accusing the council of "moral cowardice".
It had been originally been hoped that the country's first supervised injecting facility would be in operation by the end of 2017.
However, it faced a series of delays after the Oireachtas approved the necessary legislation in May 2017.
Merchants Quay was chosen as the preferred location for a pilot injection centre in February 2018.
Last year, it was confirmed that Dublin City Council had asked for further information about the facility before deciding whether to grant permission.
