Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has spoken out about the appalling conditions in which a Dublin Mid West community are continuing to have to endure on a daily basis. The problems for angered residents within Balgaddy are nothing new, having had to deal with a legacy of structural issues almost since the first hall door key was turned on the opening of this housing development between 2004 – 2007. Ó Bradaigh, a new councillor for Palmerstown-Lucan-North Clondalkin, the local electoral area for which this almost 400 unit development falls within, has echoed his fellow party colleague’s previous concerns on behalf of what he describes as a ‘forgotten community’.
Cllr Ó Brádaigh said “Balgaddy sits on the fringes in between both Clondalkin and Lucan and as such seems to have acquired a ‘no man’s land’ status over recent years, or at least this is how many, let down ordinary decent residents would describe. They simply feel abandoned by both the local authorities and government. “As a party activist having worked within a dedicated core Sinn Féin team in the local area, I am familiar with the plight of residents within Balgaddy. I have knocked doors here many times as part of our routine weekly community engagements down the years – the purpose of which is to simply listen to residents outside of our otherwise fast paced canvasses during election times. The focus being on detailing the issues and raising matters to where they need directing.
“The structural issues with this Celtic Tiger council estate are almost too exhaustive to list, but amongst the litany are serious problems with dampness, condensation and mould, structural cracks, both inside and out, sewage problems, leaks from poorly built roofs and faulty heating systems. “This is compounded by disproportionately high unemployment in the area with drug dealing, illegal dumping and general anti-social behaviour amongst the problems. The recent Covid19 pandemic has exacerbated the issues – as we know it is those in low income and disadvantaged areas that have particularly felt the brunt from the curtailment of services.
“I was delighted to attend a recent local policing forum meeting that organises with and on behalf of Balgaddy residents. My intention going forward is to follow through with the representation and past work of my party colleagues in Balgaddy. It was at this meeting that I expressed my concerns at the lack of progress toward resolving some of the challenges facing this beleaguered community.
“I was encouraged to see other local area councillors taking an interest here and I was very happy to support a recent motion initiative that supports a joint approach in terms of finding resolutions on some of the immediate issues. Singular motions were lodged with both the public realm and housing departments within the council by each councillor present and a combined motion also submitted requesting recognition for urgent works to be prioritised on behalf of Balgaddy Residents and NCCDP. A meeting with the head of housing in South Dublin County Council has also been requested ahead of the next Palmerstown-Lucan-Nth Clondalkin area committee meeting.
“I believe that a greater commitment from all those in authority and holding the purse strings is now required as a matter of urgency and beyond this a wider general recognition for the need for professional support and dedicated services to help restore some of the basic living standards that have been missing for far too long.” “Following on from this week’s area committee, I will be calling on the Council to develop a cross departmental task force, including residents, Guards and other relevant stakeholders. The reason I am calling for this, is so all issues in Balgaddy can be dealt with holistically and with community collaboration.”
