New third stand has ‘repeated same mistake’
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE new third stand at Tallaght Stadium has “repeated the same mistake” as the stadium’s other stands, by making it difficult for wheelchair users to enjoy matches as a result of where the wheelchair spaces are located, according to a local father.
Lifelong Shamrock Rovers fan Jim Walsh, who also followed the Hoops when they played in their former grounds in Milltown, regularly goes to matches with his 35-year-old son AJ, who uses a wheelchair.
Tallaght Stadium
The father and son, who are from Millbrook Lawns, enjoy attending Rovers’ home games in the stadium but the location of the wheelchair area in the east stand, which has been replicated in the new stand, impedes on their enjoyment of the match.
The wheelchair area in the stand is located at the very front and at ground level, which in poor weather means wheelchair users aren’t shielded from the elements, and visibility can be poor as the wheelchair users are situated behind advertising hoarding that surrounds the pitch.
Jim told The Echo: “We found it difficult to sit in comfort in the eastern stand, apart from being exposed to the weather there were also issues with people standing in front [of the wheelchair section], but to be fair the stewards from Shamrock Rovers do move people away when they’re standing in the area.
“There’s great access to the stands for wheelchair users, but the issue is where the wheelchair section is positioned.
“The wheelchair spaces aren’t up at a height and out of the elements like they would be in somewhere like the Aviva, they’re actually ground level and at the front, so if it rains it’s miserable.
“If it starts to rain very heavily you’ll see people, in the west stand in particular, swarming away from the front of the stand but obviously wheelchair users haven’t got that facility.”
The new third stand is earmarked for completion this month, which will see the home of Shamrock Rovers expand from its current capacity of 6,000 to ultimately house over 8,000 spectators.
The council have just repeated the same mistake
At present, accessible seating is provided in the east stand where there are five accessible seating areas with capacity for a total of 40 wheelchair patrons.
Jim added: “As soon as I heard about the development of the new stand at the beginning of this year, I got in touch with the council.
“I went to look at the new stand recently and saw that the council have just repeated the same mistake.
“I was taken aback by it, I thought that they would take the opportunity to do something [for wheelchair users].
“This is not just for my son, this is for all wheelchair users.
“The physicality of a wheelchair user sitting and watching a game at Tallaght Stadium is uncomfortable, to say the least.”
A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council was contacted for comment, however, they did not respond in time for print.
