MOTION: Councillor G. O’Connell, Councillor L. O’Toole
Seeking Clarification on Arthur Griffith Park FC Facilities and Adamstown Airlie Park Access Committee, seeking clarification on two interconnected matters. Motion: in the name of Cllr Liona O’Toole and Cllr Guss O’Connell This committee requests that the Chief Executive clarifies the current situation regarding the order from council officials to Arthur Griffith Park FC instructing them to remove the portable facilities that are and have been on site in AGP for some time. This request follows an email that was circulated to all councillors in the last couple of weeks. The committee also seeks clarification around access to the new park in Adamstown Airlie Park, whereby the club was informed that until the portable units are removed, access to the new park will be blocked. All reasons for retaining the portable units are outlined in the email sent by the club. This motion is vital for the committee to gain a clear understanding of the circumstances surrounding the directive to remove portable facilities and the subsequent impact on access to Adamstown Airlie Park. Clarifications will greatly assist the committee in addressing the concerns raised by Arthur Griffith Park FC
REPORT:
SDCC provide 173 grass pitches around the county. These are allocated to local clubs on an annual basis. SDCC recognises the important services that these clubs provide, ensuring that active recreational needs are met in the community. They are also an important part of local community social interaction, health, and wellbeing.
Griffeen Valley Park (Esker Park) already contains a number of facilities that SDCC provide to a number of clubs as well as the general public. This includes 2 soccer pitches that are currently allocated to Arthur Griffith Park FC, (AGP FC). In addition, this park contains changing facilities, toilet facilities alongside an adjacent carpark. These facilities are in use by this club. They are located here: 53°20’46.8″N 6°27’02.6″W, which is within the park.
SDCC have provided AGP FC with a storage compound for the purposes of safely storing temporary goalposts. The facilities that the club have put into this storage area are unauthorised. Permission from SDCC was not sought for the installation of these facilities and no risk assessment or insurances were received from the people who carried out this work. This poses a high risk that is unacceptable in a SDCC park which has other facilities used by the public within the park.
SDCC have informed the club that they are in breach of their terms and conditions and have been asked to remove the unauthorised structures.
AGP FC will be contacted again in writing, with a request from SDCC to remove the unauthorised facilities. If they are not removed by the club, SDCC will make arrangements to remove them ourselves.
AGP FC were notified that access to our new facility at Airlie Park would be withheld until the issues with their grass pitches had been resolved. Similar emails were sent out to several clubs who had issues with their grass pitches, all of whom have either resolved their issues to date or are working with us to resolve their pitch issues.

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
MOTION NO. 24