Boundary fence stirs up a storm

A boundary fence erected between a community centre and a football club in Kilnamanagh has caused a stir in the local area.

A new fence placed at a “pedestrian walkway” between the two facilities has created further unrest between Kilnamanagh Family Recreation Centre and Kilnamanagh AFC, a relationship that hasn’t been without turbulence.

Kilnamanagh FRC “reinstated” the boundary wall between the two properties and had first stated their intention to do so in February, which they noted led to “inappropriate” communications from the football club directed towards them.

The centre and the club had worked together in the past, with The Rockets operating out of part of the building while their clubhouse was being dreamt up and delivered.

KFRC Chairperson Tony Condren said: “They built the astro park and they asked to put a pathway through the railings in the car park.

“We allowed them to do it as part of the whole clubhouse agreement – with the condition that when they get their own clubhouse that everything would be restored the way it was.”

Kilnamanagh AFC Chairman Johnny Mackin noted that the club did receive correspondence of the planned reinstatement of the boundary in February.

The pathway has existed for almost 20 years after the astro park’s application was granted permission in early 2008.

The club chairman noted that the walkway was “very frequently used” and that the accessibility is important, including for the Irish Amputee Footballers, who have had training sessions at the location.

Mr Mackin said: “They sent us something a few months back to tell us that they were planning on putting a boundary up.

“We asked could we meet; they wouldn’t meet with us; they just told us that this was going ahead.

“At the end of the day, the council own the land. I don’t know if they went through the proper channels to put up that fence the way they did.”

In 2021, the clubhouse was given planning permission and a delay occurred in the process after Mr Condren appealed the decision – Mr Mackin refers to this as an “objection.”

The appeal noted that the 67 parking spaces included in the submission were located on the community centre lands, and Kilnamanagh AFC refuted the idea that it was an attempt to claim the spaces as theirs as “disingenuous.”

Kilnamanagh AFC recently received permission for a part change of use of their clubhouse to facilitate a new coffee shop unit at ground floor level and a school-aged childcare unit at part of the first-floor level.

KFRC’s Chairperson claims that the football club agreed on conditions during meetings about the appeal, which led to the withdrawal, but “nothing” was followed through on.

Condren said: “They have their own clubhouse, they have their own gates, they have access into the grounds without insisting that they use our car park.”

The council stated that the matter is under investigation with their planning department.