COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, January 26, 2026
MOTION NO. 5
MOTION: Councillor J. Spear
"This Area committee asks the Manager to come up with a plan to urgently deter the anti-social behaviour and associated toxic waste dumping occurring in Kingswood Heights, Tallaght?"
REPORT:
The open space in Kingswood Heights is maintained by the Public Realm Section as part of regular maintenance works carried out in the area. The location where anti-social behaviour is taking place is planted with a beech hedge alongside residential boundary walls. The hedge was planted at this location to screen houses and discourage graffiti.
The area was inspected recently and was found to clean of litter and graffiti at the time. Nevertheless, litter that has been picked up here in the past includes Nitrous Oxide canisters, drink and canister packaging, an office chair, mattress springs, a bucket, miscellaneous wood items and paper. Toxic waste has not been found at this location. At the inspection it was noted that there were scorch marks on the ground which is evidence of fires. Two of the beech trees which form the hedge have been vandalised and the resulting gap in the hedge is where anti social gatherings are taking place. The hedge on the south of the gap is wider than the hedge on the north of the gap and is providing a level of cover. This difference in hedge width is due to the hedge being allowed to grow wider over a long period of time to tie in with a section of hedge where a double stagger row of beech plants were planted.
To address the issue it is proposed to implement the following actions.
- Plant up the gap in the hedge with new beech plants.
- Prune the hedge tighter to the wall for approximately 5meters each side of the gap to reduce the cover that it provides.
- Remove low branches on the trees opposite the gap to improve visibility of the location.
It is important that residents continue to report incidents of anti social activities to An Garda Síochána. It is only with the assistance of AGS who have the powers to enforce the law under the various Criminal and Public Order Acts that this matter can be successfully resolved.