Councillors to meet with gardai over antisocial behaviour at Kildare park
Councillors report ongoing antisocial behaviour at the park at Willowbrook, Celbridge, Kildare
An on-site meeting is to be arranged between local councillors and An Garda Síochána at the park in Willowbrook Celbridge, in an effort to address antisocial behaviour in the area.
The move follows a motion tabled by Cllr Declan Ryan (FG) at a meeting of Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District, on Friday October 16 last.
In his motion, Cllr Ryan referenced “ongoing antisocial behaviour” which he said was causing “distress and concern” among residents in the surrounding estates.
The purpose of the meeting with gardai, Cllr Ryan stated, would be to discuss improving safety measures such as improved lighting, CCTV, and infrastructure upgrades.
Admitting that the matter was “a tricky situation”, Cllr Ryan noted the report mentioned a masterplan for the area, but said that other measures could be taken in the immediate term to help alleviate the problem.
These included working on public lighting, “and some other bits and pieces around the area”, he said.
Cllr Ryan suggested it would be a good idea for councillors to meet with gardai and council officials at the site to discuss how the matter may be progressed.
Also speaking at the meeting, Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB) said he was happy to accept the report on his related motion regarding masterplans for Hazelhatch Road and Willowbrook Park, Celbridge, but the more immediate concern was the problem of anti-social behaviour in Willowbrook Park, as raised by Cllr Ryan in his motion.
Cllr Heather said that in the run-up to Halloween, fireworks and fires compounded the issue, but more broadly there were reports of people being threatened, pets being scared, and rubbish from shops being burned by youths.
Cllr Heather stated that a response was needed from the council which included the input of gardai, and called for a meeting to be set up with An Garda Síochána “immediately”,
Echoing what Cllr Nuala Killeen had noted about a recent TicToc video showing a car driving the wrong way up a motorway, Cllr Heather said he had also seen this footage, and said it was “frightening.”, and even more so that “it is happening in our area.”
“This represents a huge threat psychologically and emotionally and in terms of the safety of the residents of this municipal district”, he said.
Cllr Heather stated that the issue could not wait for the LCSP (Local Community Safety Partnership) to deal with it, because “it needs to be dealt with now.”
Supporting the motion, Cllr Claire O'Rourke (SD) said she supported the call for an immediate meeting with An Garda Síochána, which she said was both “timely and necessary.”
Clarifying his position, Cllr Ryan said that what was needed was a meeting with gardai “on-site” rather than in council chambers, as gardai would have particular insight into what is occurring on the ground.
Cathaoirleach David Trost (FF) said that he lives near the area in question, and that antisocial behaviour is “a significant problem.”
Cllr Trost said he even had residents plead with him to have the green area at Willowbrook rezoned as residential land, such was residents' concern.
It was agreed in council to organise a meeting between councillors and gardai on-site at the park in Willowbrook, Celbridge.
A report issued by the council confirmed that “a proactive policing operation is currently in place in the central green area serving Castlewellan, Willowbrook Lodge, Beatty Grove, Beatty Park, Ashgrove and the Aghards Playground.”
The report continued: “The operation includes Community Policing, High Visibility Mobile and Beat Patrols aimed at reducing and disrupting anti-social behaviour, identifying offenders, increasing Garda visibility and providing reassurance to residents.”