Fear that son’s memorial will be disturbed as council plan to build more social housing
RESIDENTS have united to save “one of the last” green spaces in Jobstown from development, a public space which is also the location of a memorial to a Tallaght teen who tragically died after being struck by lightning while walking across the greenfield area. 
South Dublin County Council has proposed to build a 20-unit social, infill housing project on a greenfield site off Dromcarra Avenue and at the intersection of Kilclare Crescent, Kilclare Gardens and Dromcarra Grove in Jobstown.
Proposals, which are currently being discussed with residents, provide for the construction of 18 three bedroom units and two four bedroom units – which will be housed across three terraces of two storey homes.
Resident John Kiernan told The Echo: “People are very angry that the council wants to develop a load of social housing on what is one of the last pieces of green space in the area.
“All of the residents are very aware of the need for social housing but this is where our children play.
“There is nothing in our area except social housing, thousands of them.
“There’s no supports or infrastructure for the families already living here and the council wants to move 20 more families in – what has happened to the council’s plans to integrate social housing into all communities across the county?
“People in Jobstown matter too and we deserve to keep what little bit of green space we have left.”
Gerry Core, the father of Patrick Core Ryan, the 14-year-old who lost his life when he was struck by lightning in April 2008, said: “This space is very important to me as there is a memorial to Paddy there and people regularly leave flowers and say prayers at the spot.
“It’s also an important place for the wider community and gives people somewhere to go to reflect or just to get a bit of space.
“I would be concerned that my son’s memorial would be disrupted or end up in someone’s back garden.”
Last Friday, residents attended a meeting with council officials and on Tuesday, a public meeting was held on the green space – and attended by local councillors Cathal King (SF), Dermot Richardson (Ind), Brian Leech (AAA), Martina Genockey (Lab), Louise Dunne (SF) and Nicky Coules (PBP).
Cllr Cathal King told The Echo: “It’s important for people to realise that this is just a proposal and there will be another meeting with residents in the coming weeks.
“I have suggested that if the infill housing was to go ahead that it runs in line with the existing houses in Dromcarra, which could potentially reduce the number of units, prevent overlooking and leave the green space at the Kilclare end.
“The council has no intention of interfering with the memorial, it will be left as it is.”
He added: “However, I am quite concerned that once again the council is looking to areas like Tallaght, Clondalkin and Lucan for infill housing.
“The green spaces in these areas are tiny compared with the green spaces in communities across Firhouse, Templeogue and Rathfarnham but yet these spaces seem to be 100 per cent protected.
“Social integration does work and the council should be treating all green spaces equally.”
The council confirmed that they have met with residents and noted concerns, with a report being compiled after the closing date for submissions.
