COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, September 23, 2024

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor L. Dunne

"The Area Committee calls on the Manager to install a memorial plaque on one of the park benches along Whitestown Stream in honour of Tommy Gilson. This plaque would commemorate his decades of dedicated community activism and his significant contributions to the Jobstown community and the broader Tallaght area?"

REPORT:

The procedure for managing requests for the erection of memorial plaques is as set down in the Infrastructure Naming Policy, the relevant extract from the policy is set out below.

Dedication of Trees and Benches in South Dublin Parks and Open Spaces.

South Dublin County Council may allow memorial trees or benches within its parks and open spaces (to include areas under the control and/or maintenance of the Council) subject to the availability of suitable locations.

• The location of the tree or bench shall be at the discretion of South Dublin County Council.
• In the case of a tree the Council will be responsible for the selection of tree species, planting and maintenance works required and in the case of a bench the Council will select the type and be responsible for its installation.
• In the case of a tree a small memorial plate (conforming to a specification to be supplied) will be permitted in a location to be identified by the Council.
• A small commemorative plaque/plate (conforming to a specification to be provided) will be permitted on the backrest of a bench.
• Other than the plaque/plate conforming with the Council’s requirements nothing else will be permitted in the vicinity of or on a tree or bench.
• A fee will be payable by the applicant as a contribution to the cost of associated works including administration.
• In the event of vandalism or failure of a tree (within 18 months of planting), the Council will arrange on a one-off basis for a replacement. Vandalised benches will not be replaced.
• The Council reserves the right to remove or relocate a bench or tree at any time should it be considered necessary.
• The Council may decide as an alternative to maintain a Register of Memorial Trees.
• Requests should be sent in writing to the Senior Executive Officer, Environment, Water and Climate Change Directorate

If the proposal to install a commemorative plaque is agreed by the members of this area committee then the Council’s Public Realm Section will examine the Whitestown Stream area and benches installed at this location to identify a suitable location for this.  It is considered that it will also be necessary to obtain the agreement of Mr Gilson's family to this proposal.