Gardai forced to patrol match as scramblers run amok in park

THERE was a garda presence at a GAA match in Killinarden Park last week, to allow players from Croí Ró Naofa GAA Club to compete in a match without interference from people on scrambler bikes.

This is just the latest in a series of anti-social behaviour incidents that the club has to contend with on an almost daily basis, according to the committee of Croí Ró Naofa.

As previously reported in The Echo, Killinarden Park has been the site of numerous instances of anti-social behaviour. A total of 84 cars have been burnt out in the park since 2018.

The use of scrambler and quad bikes in the park are a regular occurrence, and volunteers from the club routinely have to remove broken glass and drug paraphernalia, including used syringes, from the pitches.

The club already requires a garda presence every Saturday morning in the park so the children in their academy can safely train.

On Thursday evening, approximately six scrambler bikes were being driven through the park, disrupting a match that was being played by the club’s Under 15s team.

When that match ended, it was followed by an adult match from the club’s senior men’s team, by which time there was a garda presence on the pitch and the people on the scrambler bikes left.

A club spokesperson told The Echo: “Week in, week out, it’s the same stuff that just keeps happening.

“It’s demoralising. I don’t think there’s any other GAA club in the country that has to deal with this.

“We’ve lost teams and we’ve lost volunteers because of this. If it keeps going on like this then [disbanding the club] will happen.”

A planned upgrade of Killinarden Park, costing approximately €2m, includes provision of raised pitches surrounded by a natural boundary in a bid to deter anti-social behaviour.

However, Croí Ró Naofa have been appealing to South Dublin County Council to put in a fenced-in pitch extending from Sacred Heart National School into the park.

“We’re looking for a fenced-in pitch,” added the spokesperson. “It’s our only option. A raised pitch won’t stop broken bottles and syringes.”

This sentiment is echoed by local Sinn Féin councillor Dermot Richardson, who said he supports the club’s proposal for a fenced-in pitch as he doesn’t believe a raised pitch will be an effective deterrent.

“The club’s not being listened to,” said Cllr Richardson. “I don’t believe a raised pitch will work.”

He added that the ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour in the park, particularly in relation to scrambler bikes gaining access, is a constant point of concern.

“Does it take someone being hurt before we act?” he asked.

The plans for the upgrade of Killinarden Park – including the raised pitches – were approved at a recent council meeting.

Speaking at the council meeting, Teresa Walsh from SDCC said she believed people engaging in anti-social behaviour could see fences as “a challenge” and it was her view that, if they were to be installed, “they will be down within minutes”.

A council spokesperson told The Echo: “Our plans for Killinarden Park were presented to Council earlier this month and are available on our website. We have no further comment to make at this time.”

A garda spokesperson was contacted for comment but a response wasn’t received at the time of going to print.