Concerns raised over alleged operation of gun club
By Mary Dennehy
CONCERNS have been raised around the alleged operation of a gun club on a site off Mount Seskin Road in Jobstown due to the close proximity of the land to houses and schools.
According to people living in the local area, a gun club is allegedly operating and carrying out target practice on the land formerly home to Hazel Grove Golf Club, which closed its doors in 2015 after 25 years in the community.
Despite alleged activity on the site, which lies in close proximity to the estates of Hazel Grove and Hazel Hill and schools in Killinarden, no planning application for a new venture on this land has been received by South Dublin County Council.
A resident living in the area told The Echo: “I wouldn’t be terribly against it if I wasn’t hearing gun shots all the time.
“Also, there’s kids all over the place in the summer, and heading up the hills, and there’s schools nearby.
“It’s a silly place, a bad location for a gun club.
“It’s hugely risky and from my point of view I don’t want to be hearing gun shots in my community.
“There are safer places for something like this, not beside a community where kids go to school and live.”
Tallaght South councillor Cathal King (Sinn Fein) raised residents’ concerns in council chambers last week.
He told The Echo: “No planning permission has been granted for a club to shoot on this land…which is right beside schools and houses.
“There is a safety risk here and anyone growing up in Tallaght will know these hills from wandering up to places like Carthy’s Castle.
“Someone could easily wander onto this land.”
Replying to Cllr King, council management said that they have “received no complaints” concerning the alleged activity, and that in order for the matter to be investigated “further detail would be required”.
Cllr King has confirmed to The Echo that on behalf of residents and the community, he will provide a written complaint to the council – which will allow the planning enforcement team to officially investigate.
“There is no need for this here”, he said.
“It is a big concern for residents and I will be chasing up the council.”
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