Shock as Kildare County Council reveals it doesn't own any public parks in this Municipal District

A local councillor was left shocked when Kildare County Council (KCC) revealed at a recent meeting that it doesn't own any public parks in one of its Municipal Districts (MD).

KCC provided the information to Fianna Fáil Cllr Donna Phelan at the latest Clane-Maynooth MD meeting, which took place on Friday, April 10 last.

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The discussion initially came about when Cllr Phelan, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means, motioned for KCC to carry out a feasibility study 'to identify suitable locations for the installation of public water filling stations at all playing pitches across the MD, similar to those provided by Fingal County Council in Malahide and Portmarnock'.

According to Cllr Phelan, she wanted this done in order to 'support local sports clubs, promote sustainability, reduce single-use plastic waste, and encourage healthier communities'.

Her motion was seconded by Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney.

However, in response to Cllr Phelan's motion, KCC revealed via the report it presented at the meeting that it does not have any public playing pitches in the MD at present.

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"Therefore, the provision of water stations is a matter for the individual clubs to provide water filling stations on their own grounds," KCC added.

Upon being informed of the contents of the report, Cllr Phelan admitted that she was 'very surprised' by the revelation that KCC does not have any public paying pitches in the MD. 

"This is something she really be pushing for," she told KCC.

Following the meeting, Cllr Phelan doubled down on her view during an interview with KFM, in which she said: "We want to deliver a community space, but KCC has to buy land back from owners, and that doesn't make any sense at all."

She also claimed that the town of Maynooth in particular was affected by the issue.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Donna Phelan. Photograph credit: kildarecoco.ie

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme