A WELL-attended meeting of a new taskforce set up to combat the dangers of scramblers and quad bikes in several Southside parks was held in Tallaght last week.
The taskforce was established between the four Dublin local authorities, the Department of Justice, the Department of Transport, the gardai, Motorcross and the Road Safety Authority following motions passed by South Dublin County Council.
The first meeting of the taskforce took place in County Hall, where issues including legislation and enforcement were debated.
A council spokesperson said the meeting was timely given Justice Minister, Charlie Flanagan's recent announcement that he is set to consider additional legislation to tackle the anti-social misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.
“The council is acutely aware of long and on-going problems associated with scramblers and quads in many parts of the county,” the spokesperson said.
“The impact of such activity is purely negative and causes distress to residents, sporting clubs and the council when quality of life is impacted through extreme damage to community open spaces and playing facilities, and we have been in liaison with the gardai, community representatives and residents of various housing estates in relation to this issue.”
The council said it had already taken action to address the problem in several Southside parks where public realm works have been initiated in an attempt to combat the problem. This has included the erection of 1.2-metre-high fencing along the side of green space areas and the provision of bollards.
“We are continuing to explore opportunities to address the access problems at existing and emerging problematic locations,” the spokesperson added.
Some of the areas where boundary fencing has been requested include Killinarden Park, Butler McGee Park, Jobstown Park, Dodder Valley Park, Tymon Park (at the basketball arena), Bancroft Park, Glenshane Green and St Cuthbert's in Clondalkin.
“We have also put in place a comprehensive procedure for the swift management of problems with abandoned and burnt out cars in the interest of improving the quality of life and safety of our citizens,” the spokesperson added.
A high-level task force comprising SDCC officials, public representatives, gardai and community and voluntary representatives is also working towards improving conditions at St Cuthbert’s Park, where there are ongoing anti-social behavioural issues.
The issue has been raised in recent months by local councillors including Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) who said the number of burnt cars showed the scale of the anti-social behaviour that residents have had to put up with.
“This, alongside scramblers and quads is making residents’ lives hell,” he said. “Residents have had enough but most feel too intimidated to report ongoing crime for fear of retaliation.
“I am aware and involved with the high-level task force for St Cuthbert’s Park and efforts to reclaim the park but criminal and anti-social behaviour must be dealt with as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr Mark Ward (SF) has also called for the gardai to be issued with scramblers and quads themselves to tackle the issue of drug dealing from scramblers.
Cllr Ward said: “The issues are St Cuthbert’s Park are increasing. I am getting more phone calls from residents on a daily basis who feel in fear.
“The issues reported to me include intimidation, stolen and burnt out cars, damage to public and private property, open drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.”