COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, October 20, 2008

MOTION NO 26

MOTION: Councillor E. Maloney

That this Committee requests that the Parks Dept., with the cooperation of An Garda investigate the public safety issues for residents living close to the Bonfire sites at Dodder Park, close to the tennis court, and at St. Maelruans Park / Old Bawn Road.

REPORT:

Over the Halloween period, the Parks Department in conjunction with An Garda Síochánawill endeavour to prevent the unauthorized bonfires located close to the tennis courts in Dodder Valley Linear Park and at the open space in St. Maelruan’s Park/Old Bawn Road.

At the Joint Policing Committee Meeting on September 12th 2008, the following was reported:

‘The Garda Síochána is aware of the damage green spaces and the public order issues often associated with bonfires over the Halloween period.  Community Gardai will in the weeks leading up to Halloween, visit schools and advise the young people of the dangers associated with bonfires etc.  Gardai will utilise the Halloween Safety Project (video) package.  In the days prior to Halloween Gardai on patrol will remain vigilant for individuals gathering material.  Special emphasis will be placed on areas which have proved problematic in the past or where the material is considered a danger to person’s property.  Each Superintendent will prepare a Policing Plan for the Halloween period.  Additional Garda resources will be available.

Garda members will be nominated in each Garda District to liaise with the Community and the Estate Management Section of South Dublin County Council.  Garda will be available to assist Council Officials if necessary when they are removing material.  Local Community Gardai will liaise with Council Officials and Community Activists to reduce the number of bonfires in green spaces.

The Parks Department with the assistance of staff from the Cleansing Unit will be removing any bonfire material from open spaces in the weeks before Halloween as they do each year.  Last year the Council dealt with 583 bonfires.  This was down from 612 in 2006.  In addition to the costs incurred by the Council there are also costs associated with the Gardai and emergency services.  Bonfires also contribute to atmospheric pollution and damage to the open spaces.  Therefore, the aim of the Council is to discourage the number of bonfires in the County.

The Environmental Services Department target certain bonfire prone areas of the County with junk collections in the weeks prior to Halloween in an effort to ensure that people do not leave out material for the collection that is then used in a bonfire.  The Litter Wardens are also involved, targeting commercial premises who supply waste material for bonfires (tyres, pallets etc).

In recent years the Council has organised official County Council bonfires which have also been of assistance and proved to be very well received in the locations (West Tallaght and North Clondalkin) where they have been held.  These events have focused community efforts on reducing the number of bonfires on an open space in favour of one larger bonfire that would be supervised and managed to ensure that unsuitable material is excluded and that health and safety measures are in place to ensure public safety.’’

The Parks Department would ask parents to discourage children and teenagers from constructing bonfires in these areas and on public open space and parkland in general.