COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

MOTION NO. 15

MOTION: Councillor Yvonne Collins

That the Chief Executive, as soon as it is safe to do so, consults with the residents of the Glendoher estate, with a view to implementing a strategy and/or carrying out appropriate works to secure access to the Glendoher Park and playspace in order to prevent anti social gatherings, particularly at night, which are very problematic and stressful for the residents, particularly those closest to the area concerned.

REPORT:

The most appropriate response to incidents of anti-social activity in parks at night is to report them to the local Gardai.  Our experience is that the Gardai are very responsive to such reports and are effective in dealing with problems.

It would not be possible to secure the boundary of Glendoher Park, or any of the many parks across the County, to prevent access outside of park opening times. None of the County’s parks or open spaces are locked at night as this would require a massive undertaking, with many more staff allocated to locking and unlocking gates at hundreds of locations with no guarantee that it would impact on people determined to enter at night.  It would also discommode the many elderly park users who exercise in parks very early each morning before they become busy.

Securing Glendoher Park would involve installing new security railings and new gates across the front of the park.  It would also require neighbouring residents to install walls and railings to strengthen their own boundaries, at considerable cost, as people intent on using the park would simply cross through their properties.

Staff from SDCC have contacted the Gardai in Rathfarnham requesting information on the numbers of reported instances of and severity of anti-social activity in Glendoher Park and are awaiting a response.  SDCC will continue to liaise with Gardai on this matter and will heed any advice given to reduce problems there.