Dublin City Council has launched a new late-night welfare initiative in Dublin City Centre.
DCC, supported by the Department of Justice and spearheaded by the Night-Time Economy Advisor, have set up a Dublin Nights Help Zone – The Nee-Naw – a mobile safe space is designed to provide support to individuals who may need assistance during a night out in Dublin City Centre — whether they’re feeling unwell, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a calm and friendly place to regroup.
The Help Zone will operate as a clearly branded mobile unit stationed on busy Camden Street, running every Friday and Saturday night from 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM, starting 4 July 2025, for a 6 to 8-week pilot period.
Staffed by a dedicated welfare team — including a medic, welfare officer, two trained security personnel, and a site operator — the Help Zone offers non-judgmental, approachable support for anyone in need.
Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin’s Night-Time Economy Advisor.
“While officially known as the Dublin Nights Help Zone, the service will also be affectionately referred to in public as ‘The Nee-Naw,’ chosen to make the service feel more approachable and easier to identify. It’s about making sure help is visible, stigma-free, and easy to access.”
The Dublin Nights Help Zone is part of the national Night-Time Economy Advisor Pilot Scheme, promoting innovative, people-centred approaches to creating safer, more inclusive cities after dark, and Funded by the Department of Justice, this initiative reinforces a commitment to community-based safety and harm reduction in Ireland’s night-time economy.
- Service Name: Dublin Nights Help Zone (publicly referred to as “The Nee-Naw”)
- Launch Date: Friday, 4 July 2025
- Location: Camden Street, Dublin City Centre
- Operational Period: Every Friday & Saturday from 4 July for 6–8 weeks
- Operating Hours: 10:00 PM – 3:00 AM
- Staffing: 1 medic, 1 welfare officer, 2 trained security (1 male, 1 female), 1 site operator
- Vehicle: Clearly branded Fiat Ducato van
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
