Gardaí disperses 70 person group at Basketball Arena this weekend

Calls have been made to close a pedestrian entrance to Tymon Park following multiple weekends of anti-social activity near the National Basketball Arena in south Dublin.

This past weekend, Gardaí deployed several vehicles to disperse a group of about 70 teenagers who had congregated near the arena.

Such gatherings are currently prohibited due to the level five restrictions.

At yesterday’s Tallaght Area Committee Independent councillor Mick Duff asked the chief executive to close the pedestrian entrance in an attempt to dissuade large gatherings for the duration of level five restrictions.

“In view of the large amount of Garda resources, three cars and two vans, required to disperse a crowd of over 70 young people, this weekend, who congregate on the Arena Road on Friday and Saturday nights, every weekend, would the manager arrange to close the main and pedestrian gates at the entrance to the Area Road, for the duration of the Level 5 restrictions in an effort to prevent this type of repeated anti-social activity,” he said.

In response, South Dublin County Council said it would not be closing the entrance due to its use as a cycling and walking route through the park.

“Tymon Lane is a cycling and walking route linking Castletymon Road with the Glenview and Brookmount areas and the N81 and there is also a pedestrian and cycling route crossing the M50 and onwards to the Templeogue area.

“It is not proposed to close off these routes as they are widely used, with the level of usage having increased during Covid restrictions.

“Contact will be made with staff from the basketball arena and with the local community Gardai to see how this matter can be addressed, however gatherings of the size described here are clearly in breach of Covid restrictions and for the Gardai to address in the appropriate manner.”

Gardaí have been contacted for comment on the matter.