A business in the city centre has refused to participate in this year’s Culture Night due to what it believes is a “continued rot and degradation” in Dublin.
The Clockwork Door in Temple Bar said in a statement online it “doesn’t feel safe or confident that taking part in this event will be a net positive for us”.
“We are saddened to see Dublin City, that we all loved, becoming a space that isn’t safe or trustworthy," it said.
This is the first time in six years the social space, which includes an escape room and drink-making workshop, will not participate in Culture Night.
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Clockwork Door Owner Ciarán Hogan said Dublin has become “lawless and dangerous”.
“Last year, we had an incident where some thugs came into our premises, and they saw the opportunity and stole some equipment from our videogame room,” he said.
“The perpetrators were identified, one of the Gardaí said he personally knew the perpetrators, and yet nothing happened after that.
“We would have continued to operate with a bit more security and awareness this culture night, had it not been for the continued rot and degradation of Dublin city centre.”
'It's this ongoing trend'
Mr Hogan said he is “absolutely not” reassured by the promises made by the Government to improve safety in the city.
“It's this ongoing trend, it’s not a surprise, it’s not a hurricane that blew in,” he said.
“It's something that has been developing in the city for the last decade or so, progressively getting worse.
“If [the Government] was in any way paying attention to it [before], they would have resolved it long ago.”
The Clockwork Door will see out until the end of its lease in Temple Bar, Mr Hogan, and will consider relocating after that.
“Maybe outside of the city centre, maybe out of the State," he said.
“We are on a very bad path and it’s continuing.”
