Concern over anti-social behaviour in local park

Shauna Bowers

LOCAL residents have expressed concern over anti-social behaviour at a Northside park.

There is a lot of litter, broken glass and anti-social behaviour at the Stardust Memorial Park in Coolock and it is having a detrimental effect on the community, according to local residents.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said she visited the playground in the park recently and described it as “a disgrace”.

“It was full of glass and litter everywhere,” she said. 

“I understand lack of funding etc, and the anti-social behaviour which takes place when the park is closed but never before has it been so bad.  

“It should be closed if it isn’t going to be maintained and this would be a great loss to the younger children in the area.” 

Local councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) said the anti-social behaviour is really affecting the lives of the people who live in the area.

“There is a beautiful playground there that children love but even that is being damaged,” Cllr O’Toole said. 

“There is even damage to the trees and wildlife such as the swans.

“Not only does it have a negative impact on the community but we must remember that the park is a monument to all of the young people who died in the Stardust fire.”

The Stardust Memorial Park was opened on September 18 1993 in memory of the 48 people who lost their lives in the Stardust Tragedy in 1981. 

The memorial features a circular pool with a bronze sculpture of a dancing couple in the middle, which was sculpted by Robin Buick.

The park has a playground, an all-weather pitch, a football pitch and a garden terrace with seating.

Cllr O’Toole is calling on Dublin City Council to be more proactive in their preservation of the area.

“The cleaning needs to be more regular,” he said. “It’s also a matter for the guards. These are all illegal offences that need to be dealt with by the gardai.”

Cllr O’Toole said he would also like to see a group established who are on a schedule to monitor and maintain the park. He acknowledges that such a group was established a number of years ago and believes it could work well if it was reintroduced.

“I want the council to implement something like a park working group again where people are scheduled to monitor and clean up the park,” he added. It [the previously established group] seems to have ceased to exist.”

Dublin City Council said it is aware of the anti-social issues in the area adding that it maintains the park to the best of its ability.

“This park is regularly cleaned but there is an ongoing issue with fly tipping, drinking and anti-social activity – motorbikes, scramblers vandalism etc,” a spokesperson for the council told Northside People. “Local gardai have been informed.”