Parking near Páirc dubbed 'anti-social' behaviour by Greens

CONTROLLED parking zones are needed to combat the “persistent problem” of illegal parking in the docklands area, according to Green Party Councillor Lorna Bogue.

The issue has arisen following complaints from local residents about people parking illegally around Páirc Uí Chaoimh at matches and events.

Ms Bogue said that Ballintemple and Ballinlough are two areas where the issue of illegal parking is acute and needs to be addressed.

“The anti-social and illegal parking is making the roads dangerous by pushing pedestrians out onto the road, people with disabilities and people with buggies,” she said. “There appears to be no enforcement whatsoever.

“All events are supposed to have a traffic management plan and I don’t know if it is being provided or not.

“Is it a case of it is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission? I don’t know.”

The Green Party councillor said that controlled parking was one of a number of measures that could be used to clamp down on the problem.

She intends to file a motion on the issue at the first council meeting of 2020, on Monday January 13.

“There is a step missing in all of these policies we are fighting to implement and that is that enforcement is not happening,” she said.

Ms Bogue said that there must be a stakeholder responsible for the issue, either the Gardaí, the GAA, the Council or a promoter.

“We need to stop this laissez-faire approach to bad parking,” she added.

“Bad parking affects business and it is making the roads dangerous.”

Ms Bogue said she was looking forward to getting a response to her motion from the City Hall executive at the upcoming council meeting.