u/GaeilgeGoblin

I’m asking this from a genuine legal point of view rather than a political one.

In parts of Northern Ireland there are ongoing situations where public land and shared spaces are effectively taken over for things like flags on lampposts, memorial structures, large bonfires, etc, often without permission and sometimes despite obvious environmental, planning, safety or roads concerns. It happens every year, and will continue to happen every year without intervention.

A lot of residents feel that councils and other authorities either refuse to act or deliberately avoid enforcement, even when the same laws would normally be applied very strictly in other situations. It also creates the feeling that ordinary people have little protection when public spaces are damaged, obstructed or made intimidating.

My question is whether a group of residents or members of the public could realistically take legal action against a council or public authority for repeatedly failing to:

- enforce planning/environmental/public safety laws,

- protect shared public spaces,

- or apply the law consistently.

I’m wondering specifically:

Would this potentially fall under judicial review?
Do residents need to prove direct personal harm, or is ongoing failure to protect public spaces enough?
Can repeated non-enforcement or selective enforcement become unlawful in itself?
Is there any duty on councils or authorities to protect neutral/shared public space?

Have there been any similar cases in NI or the wider UK?

I’m not looking to debate the politics or culture around any of this. I’m only interested in whether public authorities can legally be challenged if people believe they are failing in their responsibilities over a long period of time.

Dodds also pointed out that it’s worse in deprived areas. And increased usage with women in particular.

A party that has done nothing for the people of this country is now confused that people are falling apart at the seams.

Any doctors on here that could prescribe the DUP a mirror?

If you have been paying attention you’ll be aware that electricity prices are ever increasing. The environment is a shambles, particularly lakes and rivers. There are calls for domestic water charges. And both private and social housing sectors are unable to scale up due to network insufficiencies.

With all that in mind, there are a number of data centres in various stages of development, approved and pending.

I’m worried we may be sleepwalking into another crisis. These centres use a lot of electricity, a lot of water, and a lot of land. How are councils approving these things when we can’t even get social housing built? What will happen during water and electricity shortages? Who really profits? Do the public really know what they are being consulted on? What will become of NI if energy and water are limited, and the public are competing for resources with big tech?

If you can’t go a short journey without looking at your phone, you’ve got a serious problem. You’re not slick. We can all see you, swerving, looking down, driving slow, not reacting when lights change. If it wasn’t so dangerous I’d feel sorry for you.