Club raise concerns over use of waste land
By Aideen O'Flaherty
MEMBERS of Kilnamanagh Football Club are calling for lands at Treepark Road to be “walled and fenced” following issues with burnt out cars and litter at the site, according to a local councillor.
The lands, which are near the Kilnamanagh Football Club site, are also a point of concern for local residents following a bonfire being held there during Halloween – leading to calls for plans to be made well in advance of next Halloween.
Rubbish dumped at the site in Kilnamanagh
Fianna Fail councillor Charlie O’Connor told The Echo: “This is arising from instances of bonfires last Halloween.”
Cllr O’Connor added: “There are those in the local soccer club who have strong views about the use of these lands, that they should be better protected – that the lands should be walled and fenced.
“I’m representing the views and concerns of the community who want something done about this space in the long-term, it’s in a derelict state.”
Cllr O’Connor added that the Kilnamanagh Neighbourhood Watch committee are “leading this campaign”, and at last month’s Tallaght Area Committee meeting the councillor asked SDCC to note the concerns of the Kilnamanagh Neighbourhood Watch committee and the wider community in relation to these lands, and to outline what their future plans for the site are.
Burning of cars
In response to Cllr O’Connor’s question, the council stated they had held a meeting with Kilnamanagh residents in January, where the agenda included “a number of issues that have arisen in the area such as: bonfires that occur in the north-east corner of the estate at Halloween, burning of cars and dumping of rubbish.
“It is felt a multi-pronged approach will be required to address the issues raised with input from a number of sections within the council, other stakeholders as well as the local community.”
In terms of immediate actions, the council plans to liaise with a number of other council sections, including the climate change section to explore the possibility of wetland development in the area.
The council also plans to renovate the corner of open space to bring it back into general use, with cultivation and re-seeding of the existing rough surface.
