COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor M. Ward

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That this area committee fully supports Clondalkin Celtic in their proposal to use St. Cuthbert's Park as their base to develop their club to reach its full potential, furthermore as a starting point we ask that this Council provide a playing pitch in St. Cuthbert's Park and to work with Clondalkin Celtic."

REPORT:

The residential area of St. Cuthbert’s Park is prone to repetitive incidences of illegal dumping/littering  and anti-social behaviour which is of grave concern and upset to the majority of civic minded residents who live in the area. The area currently requires significant, ongoing  input from South Dublin County Council’s Public Realm section, yet despite these persistent clean-up and operational activities the problem persists. As a result St. Cuthbert’s playing pitches have been out of operation for some time. A section of the Park is also subject to a  social housing build project which has completed the tender process for contractors and it is anticipated that this scheme pending final budget approval will commence on site in June 2018 with a 12 month build programme.

The Council met with Clondalkin Celtic on the 26^th February 2018 to discuss the Club’s playing pitch requirements. The Club was advised at this meeting of the Council’s willingness to work with the Club with a view to them returning to St. Cuthbert's Park as soon as is practically possible while being cognisant of the restrictions which may apply as a result of the social housing build project and the ongoing issues outlined above.

South Dublin County Council has committed to the installation of a high specification CCTV system for the area of the park concerned. It is expected to take delivery of the system and have commissioning complete by early June. These camera will be monitored 24 hours a day remotely by local Gardaí to identify persons involved in illegal activities including dumping and burning of household waste.

In the interim, Clondalkin Celtic will be assigned the pitch, without the benefit of the permanent goalposts (until CCTV is commissioned) and arrangements have been made for an onsite meeting with club representatives and public realm operations staff to determine the extent of works immediately required to the pitch before it is playable.