COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, March 28, 2022
QUESTION NO. 8
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
"To ask the CEO to report on actions taken and proposed in respect of anti social behavior and crime in Sean Walsh Park; will he appreciate the need to have the Park safe for the community and in reporting will he also update members on plans for new developments in Sean Walsh Park and will he make a statement?"
REPLY:
The Council has regular and ongoing contact with the Gardai in relation to many issues including that of safety and security in Sean Walsh Park. Requests were received from the Gardai for release of cctv footage from the park in relation to a number of incidents that occurred in the park since the start of the year, these requests were responded to and the incidents in question have been discussed between the Council and the Gardai. The Gardai have advised that they have increased their level of patrols and surveillance in the park in response to these incidents. A meeting on site in Sean Walsh Park has been requested with the community garda to discuss this issue and determine if further action on either the part of the Council or the Gardai is required. This meeting expected to take place over the next two weeks, local elected members will be advised of the outcome of that meeting including details of any measures agreed between the Council and the Gardai.
The Council has cctv in place at a number of locations in the park, at the playground and also at the bridge across the N81 which leads from Sean Walsh Park into the Square. The views of the Gardai will be sought in relation to the need for additional cctv cameras in the park. Section 38 of An Garda Siochana Act 2005 requires that community cctv systems must be authorised by the Garda Commissioner and there are a number of locations around the county where such systems are in place.
The Public Realm Improvement Works Programme this year includes for the installation of public lighting at St Martin's School, in the park extension. The only route which currently has public lighting in the park is the route from the roundabout at Old Bawn Community School to the bridge across the N81 into the Square which is well used by residents from the Old Bawn estates, in general public lighting is not provided within parks.
The encouragement of active and positive use of the park is considered to be the best way to eliminate anti-social behaviour in the park. In this regard it should be noted that the following positive developments have either taken place in the park in recent years or are planned for the coming years -
- Substantial footpath improvements have been carried out over a number of years.
- Development of an all-weather playing pitch is planned, the Part 8 for this was approved in 2021.
- Bulb planting under the annual improvement works programme will be carried out later this year.
- Three projects are due to be carried out there under the participatory budget initiative this year (upgrade to the playground, development of a native tree trail and the provision of an outdoor exercise area or event space).
- Public lighting is due to be installed under the improvement works programme close to St Martin's school.
- Work is underway to develop a rehabilitation plan for the area of incidental habitat which lies between the attenuation ponds and the playing pitch, to the rear of Cill Cais.
- The expected completion in 2023 of the Cluid housing project at the Whitestown Way side of the park will bring about an increased level of use of the park from the new residents there once the housing is occupied. The entrance from the existing car park into the park will be upgraded as part of the completion of the housing scheme.