Concerned residents reject claims they are anti-Traveller

RESIDENTS reject claims they are anti-Traveller, following reports of proposed redevelopment at a halting site.

At a meeting earlier this month, South Dublin County Council reported on planned redevelopments at Traveller accommodation sites in the county, including Oldcastle Park in Clondalkin.

At Oldcastle, it means replacing a 50 bay temporary site built in the 1980s, and potentially introducing pedestrian and vehicular access into the neighbouring Castlegrange estate.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) said residents in Castlegrange are supportive of the Oldcastle plans for “200 houses”, but that they don’t want vehicular or pedestrian access into the estate.

Also speaking at the meeting, Cllr Louise Dunne (SF) said it was “shocking” to tarnish and stigmatise people “living in appalling conditions” and that “we want to keep a wall up to further segregate them from our community.”

“Build paths, build roads, and let the Traveller community be part of the community,” said Cllr Dunne.

Residents who contacted The Echo, said the access concerns stem from public safety and it has “nothing to do with Travellers”.

“I have lived here for 20 years. Many of us in the estate bought the house off the plans knowing it backs off a halting site. It has never been an issue,” said Daragh McDonagh, Castlegrange resident.

“Nobody is against the development, residents are afraid it will become a rat run if opened up. The councillor had no consultation with Castlegrange residents. To turn the discussion that way, is wholly untrue and reckless. I feel like it is something that we need as residents, to get across.”

At the meeting, Colm Ward, SDCC Director of Housing, indicated the council had taken out vehicular access for Oldcastle Park, but proposed to leave in a pedestrian access.

However, the final plan has yet to be confirmed and works are due to commence in early 2024, but pedestrian access remains a huge concern for residents.

“We are afraid of opening up the estate with the amount of scramblers around,” said Daragh.

“We have an awful lot of kids out playing, and are located beside the New Nangor Road, and the main R136, which leads down to the canal. The real issue here is public safety.”

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