The Irish Times

Despite the fanfare, some residents fear the £100 million redevelopment of Fatima Mansions may just mean a return to "the old flat complexes". The sun shone and a carnival atmosphere reigned at Fatima Mansions yesterday at the launch of Dublin Corporation's £100 million redevelopment scheme. Children with painted faces leapt around on bouncy castles and ate ice-creams while loud music was piped from the community centre, its graffiti freshly painted out only last Friday. In a white marquee the Taoiseach announced plans to demolish and rebuild completely the troubled complex, which has become a by-word for inner-city deprivation, drug abuse and disadvantage. Local people queued to get their copy of Dublin Corporation's glossy brochure Regeneration - Next Generation, which promises a bright future for the 700 residents of the run-down 50-year-old flats.