Local Councillor, Charlie O’Connor, has demanded that everything possible would be done to ensure that the Council’s Parks remain safe for all Park users. He raised the matter at the March meeting of the Council and confirmed that he receives regular calls from the public and organisations in respect of the matter. He called on the Council’s CEO to appreciate the importance of the issue and sought a detailed statement.
Council Management told Charlie O’Connor that:- “The Parks & Open Space Bye-Laws are for the control and regulation of the use of Parks and Open Spaces. These Bye-Laws are in force to ensure that Parks provided as a public amenity are used by members of the public to the maximum extent in safety and comfort. The Park Ranger Service is also responsible for enforcing SDCC Bye-laws for Parks and Open Spaces. In the event that a member or members of the public fails to co-operate with an instruction or direction of a park ranger, the next step, depending on the severity of the breach of the Bye-laws is to seek the assistance of An Garda Siochána to enforce the Bye-law.”
In response to further questions by Charlie O’Connor, the CEO stated that:- “South Dublin County Council has a staff of fourteen Park Rangers who are deployed across the three operational districts of the county. Members will note the provisions under Section 8 of the Bye-Laws; Enforcement and Penalties. Regrettably anti-social activity is an issue in a small number of parks and we are working with An Garda Síochána to help resolve those issues. In addition to the Law Enforcement work of An Garda Síochána, the Council is arranging for boundary improvement works to be carried out at locations where scramblers, quad bikes and stolen cars are gaining access to public parks and thereby causing public nuisance and safety concerns. Substantial boundary improvement works have taken place at both Bancroft Park and Butler McGee Park with further works due to take place at other Parks at a total cost in excess of €500,000, which will contribute to an improvement in the issues there.”
According to Charlie O’Connor, the works at Bancroft Park and Butler McGee Park in Tallaght, have been particularly welcomed and he undertook to give these importance his continued attention.
