McVerry, founder of the Arrupe Society which combats homelessness, is believed to be eager to proceed with plans to place the young men in apartments bought in the Willows estate, despite significant local opposition.

Residents are understood to have objected to the plan amid fears that the character of the quiet estate would be adversely affected by visitors to the apartments, which were bought in late 2006 by McVerry's group for a sum estimated to be in excess of Euro1m.

Some locals hoped they could stall the plan by official objections if McVerry decided to place caretakers in the apartments, requiring a 'change of use' designation, if there was an attempt to extend the buildings, or if government or council funding was sought for their maintenance.

However, it is understood funding has been acquired from private, non-government avenues, and the young men are also living in an independent environment. Locals almost certainly cannot prevent McVerry from renting the four apartments on a landlord-tenant basis.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Maurice Ahern said the large number of locals who attended a public meeting in the nearby Clareville estate six weeks ago indicated significant public concern over the proposed accommodation.

"The arguments voiced were that some of the young homeless people may have been in jail or were former drug users, and even with the best intention on the part of the young people in the accommodation, this may lead to some others who know them, and who are not reformed, coming to the estate and using drugs there, " Ahern said.

McVerry said the accommodation would house "young people who are drug-free, who are capable of living independently." He said he understood people's fears were "a natural part of someone trying to do something different in their local area, " but was confident people would realise they had no reason to feel threatened.