Concerns over ‘inaccurate information’ on Hell Fire Club tourism project

By Mary Dennehy

THE issue of “misinformation” surrounding the Dublin Moun-tains Project was discussed in council chambers last week, with elected representatives claiming that inaccuracies are doing the rounds concerning the proposed €19 million flagship tourism project.

A number of councillors expressed their concern over “inaccurate information” that they believe is being spread through various public meetings and on leaflets.

Speaking in council chambers, Independent councillor Dermot Looney welcomed groups that question the project, as they do a “very important job” by raising issues.

However, he said that it was “really regrettable” that “inaccuracies” concerning the project were circulating and that South Dublin County councillors have a “very serious responsibility” to the truth.

Sinn Féin councillor Cathal King said flyers are doing the rounds with ‘Save the Hell Fire’ printed on them as “if we were going up there with diggers”, while other councillors spoke of “scaremongering” around the scale of the development and what they believe is misinformation concerning the introduction of a payment for parking or access.

When asked in the chamber to confirm the situation regarding a charge for accessing the scenic amenity, council management said parking and access will remain as it is – free.

People Before Profit (PBP) has shown its “solidarity” with a campaign collective which, challenging the proposed development, is made up of the Save the Hell Fire action group, the Friends of Massy’s Woods, the Hell Fire and Massy’s Residents’ Association and members of various interest groups – with PBP’s Dr Peadar Grady and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown TD Richard Boyd Barrett speaking at a rally at the Hell Fire Club car park on May 28 at 1pm.

PBP came under fire in council chambers, with Sinn Féin councillor Enda Fanning claiming that the party was “hijacking the project for political gain”, a comment which led to Tallaght PBP councillor Nicky Coules accusing Cllr Fanning of “simply making mischief”.

When asked for his opinion on the proposed project, Cllr Coules said the party’s members in South Dublin County Council had not yet taken a stance, a response which Sinn Féin’s Brendan Ferron described as “bizarre”, considering a Dun Laoghaire TD for the same party was holding meetings against the proposal.

When contacted by The Echo, PBP’s Dr Peadar Grady said: “We are not misinforming anyone – if anything is inaccurate we are only too happy to correct it.

“We definitely [are not aware] that we have gotten anything wrong and no one from South Dublin County Council has contacted us.”

Elizabeth Davidson, who is a member of Save the Hell Fire action group and has fronted the Friends of Massy’s Woods for the past 25 years, was present in council chambers for the debate.

She told The Echo: “The council has been saying since the very beginning that there is misinformation doing the rounds, but they haven’t actually identified any.

“We haven’t been giving out any incorrect information – all of our information is coming from the council, its website and council meetings.

“In relation to a charge being introduced, the council may say now there will be no charge, but whoever they give the licence to operate the site might [introduce one].

“This project is still in design stage . . . the council really has no management plan in operation yet.”

While the council has developed an interactive site dedicated to the project and hosted information sessions and public open days, Ms Davidson believes that there is a lack of clarity concerning the plans.

She also said that the action group’s request for a dedicated meeting with the project team has not yet materialised.

“The council is ignoring the genuine concerns of between 1,200 and 1,500 people . . . who have been sending letters to the Mayor since January,” Davidson said.

“We intend to have a deputation meeting [with the council] for us to deliver a presentation.”

The council confirmed that it expects to have its planning application ready by June.

Visit www.sdcc.ie to view the plans.