Community worker says Derry has more than enough gambling arcades - 'Gambling causes a lot of pain and hurt in families'

By Ursula Duddy

The director of a community organisation that provides support and advice for those struggling to cope with debt and financial difficulty has said Derry has ‘more than enough’ gambling outlets.

Donncha MacNiallais is the Director of Dove House Community Trust which, among their services, provides advice on debt, benefits and money.

In recent months, a number of planning applications have come before Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Committee asking that permission be granted for new gambling and gaming arcades in the city centre.

An application was refused for an arcade in William Street last week, with the Derry News alo previously revealing that a planning application has been lodged with the local council for the extension of a gambling arcade at the bottom of Shipquay Street.

Earlier this year, a council decision to refuse planning permission for a separate gambling arcade further up Shipquay Street was overturned by a court decision.

Oasis Retail Services were then granted permission to open a gaming centre at Unit 23 on Level 2 of the Richmond Centre, which has lain vacant for 16 years.

Speaking to the Derry News, Mr MacNiallais said that Derry has ‘more than enough’ gambling establishments in the city centre and that they would like to see less than there presently are as opposed to applications for more.

“Dove House are one of the groups that objected to the proposal of a new arcade for William Street,” he said.

“We did so on the basis that there are already a number of gambling facilities in that area and William Street is a gateway to the city centre and an area of historic importance that should be protected.

“But over and above that, gambling causes a lot of pain and hurt in families and we don’t see why gambling should be encouraged.

“We want less gambling and less opportunity for people to gamble and we are quite happy to support the any opposition to more gambling establishments.”

He added: “There are a number of arcades throughout our city in different areas and our general view is that Derry has more than enough of them and we need less not more.”