COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor T. Ridge

To ask the Manager for a report regarding the continued abuse of St. Cuthbert's / Lindisfarne Park by motorcyclists who treat local residents and park users with contempt? The report to contain the actions to be taken by this Council as already promised.

REPLY:

The use of motorbikes in public parks is prohibited under the Council's Bye-Laws for Parks and Open Spaces, 2011.

The entrances to St. Cuthbert's Park have been provided at strategic locations to allow for pedestrian movement in and out of the park.  The entrances have been designed to provide for pedestrian access including people with mobility issues while deterring vehicle access.  However, the entrance gates are subject  to vandalism on an ongoing basis by people seeking to gain access to the park with motorbikes and other unauthorised vehicles. The vandalism has including ramming vehicles into the gates and use of steel cutting equipment to sever the gates from the entrance.  The gates have been repaired in the past but on a recent inspection, it was noted that some of the gates had been vandaliised again.  Arrangements will be made to undertake repairs as soon as possible, subject to the availability of resources.

The recently adopted 2011 Bye-Laws for Parks and Open Spaces include enhanced provisions for dealing with unauthorised vehicles, including motorbikes, in public parks and open spaces.  The matter of enforcing the new bye-laws is the subject of ongoing discussion with the Gardaí. 

Any information that the local community can provide in relation to the unauthorised use of motorbikes in the park would be of assistance and should be provided either directly to the Gardaí and/or South Dublin County Council.