Criticism over lack of toilet facilities at popular park in Kildare

The lack of toilet facilities at a popular North Kildare park has drawn criticism from a local councillor.

Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen made the comments at the latest Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District meeting, which took place on Friday, January 16 last.

Cllr Killeen, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means, made her comments in response to a motion which was submitted by Fine Gael Cllr Paul Brooks.

Through his motion, Cllr Brooks requested Kildare County Council (KCC) to provide "toilet facilities for the range of sports clubs that utilise the KCC playing fields in St Catherine's Park".

His motion also found support in the Mayor of the MD, Labour Party Cllr Rupert Heather.

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In response to Cllr Brook's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "There are no immediate plans to provide toilet facilities in St Catherine’s Park.

"The sharing of facilities with Fingal County Council will be investigated first given the close proximity of an existing facilities within their boundary.”

KCC added: "If this is not possible, then further investigation on the provision of toilet facilities within our boundary will be carried out."

Speaking further on the topic, Cllr Killeen told KCC that she previously raised the matter last year.

In addition, she said that the topic of toilet facilities at St Catherine's Park had been raised by other councillors even before that.

Cllr Killeen added that, in her view, "it was an absolute disgrace" that it was still an issue in 2026.

Mayor Heather said that he agreed with her sentiments, and also told KCC: "On a given day in the Summer, there can be hundreds, if not thousands, of people at the park."

Simon Wallace,a KCC official who was present at the meeting, said that he would discuss the matter further with Fingal County Council.

Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen. Photograph credit: Nuala Killeen

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.