THE PLANNED EXTENSION of the Luas Green Line to Finglas is back on track after legal proceedings against the project were dropped, clearing a major hurdle for the long-awaited transport link.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe said today that the decision to withdraw High Court challenges means the project can now proceed as planned.

“I welcome today’s resolution around the dropping of High Court challenges against the Finglas Luas extension and I thank all of those who have reached a mutual agreement,” McAuliffe said.

“The confirmation that the project now has full planning permission will mean that the Luas Finglas is back on track and construction ready.”

The 4km extension of the Green Line, which received planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála last year, will run north from Broombridge with stops at Charlestown, St Margaret’s Road, Finglas Village and St Helena’s.

The four new proposed stops. Department of Transport Department of Transport

It is expected to serve up to 60,000 people and provide a direct rail connection to an area of Dublin that currently relies heavily on bus services.

The project had faced delays after a legal challenge was brought by companies including Manhattan Peanuts and Firethorn Limited, which raised concerns about land acquisition and the impact on its operations.

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said in December that he was “really anxious” to see the project progress, noting it was “pretty much ready to go” pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

With those challenges now resolved, the project is expected to move towards the tendering stage, with construction potentially beginning within the next few years.

McAuliffe said the extension is badly needed in Dublin North West, describing it as one of the few constituencies in the country without a rail service.

“Dublin North West is in great need of faster connections to the city centre,” he said.

“It remains one of the few constituencies in the country that is not served by a rail service and so we are entirely reliant on local bus services.”

The project has previously been earmarked for completion by 2031, subject to funding and delivery timelines.