Up to 100 people have attended a public meeting in Dublin to discuss the future of the site of the former Magdalene laundry on Sean McDermott St.

Dublin City Council is in negotiations for the sale of the site.

It is understood the preferred bidder is the Japanese hotel group Toyoko Inn.

The council says plans for the redevelopment of the site include a 350-bed hotel, a community centre, a supermarket and 76 apartments.

It says the majority of the apartments will be social housing for older people.

Plans for the sale would be subject to approval by Dublin city councillors.

The meeting was arranged by Social Democrats Councillor Gary Gannon, who is calling for the location to become a "site of conscience" which commemorates the history of the Magdalene women.