Anger over beach parking decision

ANGER has been expressed over Dublin City Council’s decision to close off Dollymount beach to cars.

However, the city council said its decision was based on a culmination of incidents, including anti-social behaviour, and it also received advice from the gardai.

Margaret Smith, from Bayside, described the move as

“outrageous

?.

“It’s a disgrace,

? Ms Smith told Northside People.

“I have mobility issues and now I can’t drive onto the beach like I’ve been doing for many years.

“My sister Carol is an amputee, and is also a regular visitor to Dollymount, and she’s going to lose out as well.

“You don’t see the council closing off O’Connell Street or St Anne’s Park or anywhere else where there is anti-social behaviour.

“Why should we lose out because of this? This decision is totally over the top.

“This is a well-known amenity that has been enjoyed by generations of Dubliners for many years and now we’re being penalised because of a few people causing anti-social behaviour.

“There is a car park at the causeway but I wouldn’t be able to walk to the beach from it, and other people with mobility difficulties will be affected also.

?

Ms Smith has called on Dublin City Council to reverse its decision. She has also contacted her local public representatives urging them to put pressure on the city council to force a u-turn.

A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council said the Bull Island nature reserve and Dollymount beach are unique amenities for the people of Dublin and visitors to the city.

“There is increasing use of the beach due in part to recreational activities such as kite surfing, a sport which has increased in popularity because of the conditions in Dublin Bay which make it an excellent venue for this particular sport,

? she told Northside People.

“The success of such events and activities creates its own pressures with regard to maintenance, public order and public safety.

Recently there was an incident on the beach where a car which was stuck in the sand led to a woman being injured.

“Due to the haphazard nature of parking, emergency vehicles had difficulty attending to the incident and the gardai subsequently advised that the cars should no longer be permitted onto the beach.

“This was the culmination of a number of incidents where the 24-hour access to the beach from the causeway has resulted in serious anti-social activity and concern for public safety.

?

The spokeswoman said temporary barriers have been installed at the end of the causeway to prevent cars accessing the beach and these allow for pedestrian and cycle access.

“The distance from the set down at the roundabout to the beach is about 50 metres,

? she added.

“If there are individuals or groups who are incapacitated and cannot traverse this distance, the city council staff who manage the wildlife conservation, lifeguarding and beach maintenance will meet with them to see how their requirements can be accommodated.

?

Cllr Damian O’Farrell (Ind), who represents the Clontarf Local Electoral Area (LEA), said he became aware of the situation recently when he visited the beach and was surprised to see the barriers in place.

Cllr O’Farrell said he was disappointed not to have received notice of this move from the city council.

“I have put this particular issue on the agenda for discussion at this week’s North Central Area Committee meeting,

? he told Northside People.

“I want to know what the city council’s future plans are and if there are any alternatives. It’s an issue that requires further discussion.

?