COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, November 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That this Tallaght Area Committee calls on the Chief Executive to present a report on his efforts to deal with the challenge presented by Halloween activities in Kilnamanagh Estate and in responding will he appreciate the strong concern of the local community that action be taken in respect of the Open Land at the bottom of Treepark Road beyond the Ned Kelly Park which attracts such activity and will he note the clear need to present proposals for the future of the Land and in that regard will he enter into discussions with local stakeholders."

REPORT:

"A total of 280 bonfires have been recorded in South Dublin County in 2018 and while information is still being collated it appears that the Council has removed approximately 500 tonnes of bonfire materials, including both before and after the event, at an estimated cost of €120,000.  Of the 280 total number 136 of these took place in the Tallaght area.  Every effort was made in the run up to Halloween to intercept and remove materials intended for the bonfire at Kilnamanagh and this required a coordinated effort involving local residents, An Garda Siochana and the Council.  While there is no figure available on the amount of waste diverted from Kilnamanagh it is known that approximately 1,000 wooden pallets were remove by Council staff from the location prior to Halloween along with large quantities of other waste materials including tyres.  Reports received from the Kilnamanagh area suggest that while a bonfire did take place there only a small quantity of waste was available to be placed on it. 

With regard to the open space adjacent to Ned Kelly Park the Council's Public Realm section is aware and has been liaising with the Climate Change / Water and Drainage Capital Section who have a grant under the EU funded LIFE scheme, Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE project, for the possible siting of a wetland within the Kilnamanagh area on the open space in question. This will be subject to topographical survey and other engineering prerequisite requirements before progressing to planning and consultation, including environmental assessments. This work will be progressed by the Climate Change / Water and Drainage Capital Section in 2019.

In addition the Public Realm Section intends to install a footpath around this open space and this will have the effect of increasing legitimate activity and providing passive surveillance in the area. This scheme is included in the 2018 public realm improvement works programme and will be completed before the end of the year.  These works will be co-ordinated with the Climate Change / Water and Drainage Capital Section to ensure they are compatible with each other."