COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, November 25, 2024

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor T. Costello

"Since the removal of kiss gates in certain locations in DVP and the decommissioning of the CCTV there has been a rise in scrambler activity in the park not only causing damage but excluding park users and affecting the surrounding housing estates , can a urgent review be undertaken to reinstate the measures that were implemented by SDCC to stop scrambler activity as these measures worked?"

REPORT:

In 2019 and 2020 the Council's Public Realm Section carried out a programme to install kissing gates to control access at a number of entrances to Dodder Valley Park, in response to requests from local elected representatives to do so.  Those kissing gates were installed at the time at park entrances on Old Bawn Road and Avonmore Road/Seskin View Road and these remain in place as do the kissing gates which were already in place at Bawnville, New Bawn and other cul de sacs with entrances to the park.  In recent years a new entrance to the park has been developed beside the Edge Cafe at Avonmore Road, as part of the Dodder Greenway scheme, and this provides universal access to all park users as is required by the greenway scheme.    There is also universal access to the greenway scheme at the Dodder Weir and this has always been the case.  Another new entrance to the park has been developed at the pavilion car park and this is controlled by the automated gate at the entrance from Old Bawn Road.  The entrance from the car park at Firhouse Road into the park has been upgraded this year however no change has been made with regard to accessibility at this location, universal access from the car park to the park has been maintained here as was the case prior to the upgrade works.   

The entrances in question have provided universal accessibility for a number of years, with little to no reports of scrambler activity until recently, when incidents were reported over a three-week period. The Council is actively collaborating with An Garda Síochána to address recent reports of scrambler activity in Dodder Valley Park to identify those involved. Measures include additional Garda patrols and efforts to enhance passive surveillance, such as improving sightlines and encouraging greater legitimate use of the park to deter antisocial behaviour. In general, the Gardai are of the view that the park is a safe environment for members of the public to enjoy. The Council has also supported Garda operations targeting illegal scrambler use, including a Day of Action in mid-2024 where a significant number of illegal scramblers were seized.  The Council remains committed to assisting Gardaí and implementing measures to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our parks.

In 2022, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) audited this Council's use of CCTV across a range of services and functions.  This has been followed by a lengthy period of engagement and communication between the Council and DPC which included a requirement that we provide comprehensive information on our CCTV infrastructure, its purpose and the basis for its use.  This process has not yet concluded and it is therefore not currently known what the final position of the DPC will be in relation to CCTV in park locations.  The Council has clearly outlined to the DPC our justification for the use of CCTV and we await the final findings of the DPC audit which will determine the future use of CCTV in our parks and other locations.