Anger over 14 cars burnt out on playing pitches this year
By Aideen O'Flaherty
PITCHES in Killinarden Park used by Croí Ró Naofa GAA Club have been left “unplayable” after a car was burnt out there on Sunday, bringing the total number of cars burnt out in the park to 14 this year.
As previously reported in The Echo, issues with cars gaining access to the park have been ongoing for several years, with South Dublin County Council erecting boundary fencing in order to deter access to the park, however the fencing has been repeatedly breached.
A car burnt out in Killinarden Park last week
Croí Ró Naofa have been affected by these issues in the past, when in April of last year the pitches they use were damaged by tyre tracks that ran through the park and across the pitches, and the club had to cancel matches as a result.
Sinn Féin councillor for Tallaght South, Louise Dunne, told The Echo: “This is the 14th car that has been burnt out in Killinarden Park this year alone – it’s left the pitches unplayable.
“The volunteers and coaches from Croí Ró Naofa give so many hours of their time to the club and they’re always in the park early in the morning before matches, clearing away broken glass and rubbish.
“It’s soul-destroying for the club – it’s having a devastating effect on them. They won’t be able to use the pitches this weekend.”
In June of last year, it was revealed that the cost of securing the boundary wall on one side of Killinarden Park would total €110,000, while last February it was claimed that a new infill housing development had created a new access point to the park – which had inadvertently allowed access for scrambler bikes and cars.
Cllr Dunne continued: “It’s a small minority that’s involved in this anti-social behaviour, and the council and the guards are doing their best.
“I’m looking for the council to secure the whole boundary of the park – which we shouldn’t have to do, but there is a small minority who are determined to get cars and scramblers into the park.”
She added: “Parents have a responsibility to know where their teenagers are.”
A spokesperson for the council told The Echo: “The council has recently approved the budget provision for a programme of works to install perimeter fencing and reinforce boundary treatment in a number of parks, including the following: Bancroft Park, Butler Magee Park, Killinarden Park and Jobstown Park.
“The proposal is to erect a boundary wall and fence that stretches for about 180 meters of Killinarden Park, where the illegal access of vehicles has been taking place.”
