Councillors reject ‘Purple Flag’ party town proposals for Clondalkin

By Maurice Garvey

COUNCILLORS voted to reject the possibility of Clondalkin being anointed a “party town” at an area committee meeting on Wednesday evening.

The move was in response to the expansion in Ireland of the Purple Flag initiative – an international accreditation for town centres which aims to “raise standards and broaden the appeal of towns between 5pm to 5am.”

Sinn Féin councillor Mark Ward put forward a motion at the Clondalkin meeting to pre-empt expansion of the flag into Dublin 22.

Cllr Ward, a Director on the Clondalkin Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (CDATF), and representative on the Clondalkin Community Alcohol Steering Group, said the flag would “go against the ethos” of recent developments in the area.

He said: “My argument was that we have the Round Tower heritage project taking place, and other positive developments like new housing and the Fairtrade town. We don’t need to send out the message that Clondalkin is a party town.

“It’s not about trying to stop people having fun, but the worry is that there would be more alcohol-related incidents. No town in Ireland is without it but the hidden dangers are huge – domestic violence, poverty, rows with neighbours, kids going to school without lunch.”

Cllr Ward cited a recent report by the CDATF which was “all about reducing the negative effects of consumption of alcohol.”

UK organisation Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) are behind the initiative.

Currently there are 18 Purple Flags in the Republic of Ireland and two in Dublin – one at Dame Street’s creative quarter and another in Swords.

“I don’t know how it is working out in Swords, but I was walking through Temple Bar recently and it was like coming out of a war zone,” said Cllr Ward.

“ATCM is sponsored by Diageo and other supporters including drinkaware.co.uk. If Clondalkin was nominated, we would have to pay €8,500 for the privilege.

“There is a lot going on in the Clondalkin area already. We don’t need anything extra. Especially what that would mean for gardai, who are already under-resourced.”

Members agreed to support the motion on Wednesday – meaning if Clondalkin is nominated it would have to be discussed by members and the South Dublin Council.