Councillor John Redmond Labour Blog & News Update 2009 Finglas / Ballymun

It is expected that the upgrading of Johnstown Park will not
nowcommence until late this year at the earliest. This is due
to various delays with plannning , funding and tendering for
contracts.

The plan is to provide new changing rooms for both soccer
and GAA/ rugby, referees rooms and stores. The plan also
includes new car parking at Glasanaon Road and additional
planting.

The 2010 Dublin City Council work lists includes footpath improvements on Cardiffsbridge Road and Ratoath Road .
It also includes carriageway improvements on Wellmount Road and minor traffic works (small roundabout) at the
junction of Abbotstown Road/Avenue . Funding is extremely tight but if you have any suggestions on improving your area, please let me know. Meanwhile, the plan for 61 senior citizen units and a centre of excellence on Kildonan
Road may be shelved because of funding problems.

The football pitch at Kilshane Road has been re-seeded and will be ready for use in September 2010.

Over 200 trees have been planted in the Finglas area as part of National tree week, including 62 in Tolka Valley
Park , 15 in the Barry area, 11 in the Fairlawn estate, 10 in the Lakeglen estate, 20 in Kippure Park , and 12 in the
Scribblestown area.

Lidl has been granted permission to partially extend its
facility on St. Margaret’s Rd. Róisín Shotall TD wrote to
the Council asking that funding be provided by Lidl for improved
pedestrian facilities close to the supermarket as the road is
still not safe to cross here — particularly for pedestrians
crossing from Casement Road . This is now under
consideration as part of the planning decision. (2204/10)

The Council spent almost €100,000 last year removing graffiti
from our part of Dublin. Cllr. John Redmond has worked
with the Council and local residents to tackle graffiti in the
area. A lot of good work has taken place over recent weeks
but there’s still a lot to do. New contractors have recently
been appointed and start work this month. You can report
graffiti on the free phone line 1800 251 500 or on 222 5400

Meanwhile, a number of estates recently participated in a
clean-up day as part of the National Spring Clean. If other
residents groups are interested, the City Council can provide
gloves, brushes and bags and the removal of any rubbish
collected.

Judges won’t meet local Councillors about anti-social behaviour

The Courts service has refused a request from the Dublin North West
Area Committee for Judges to meet them about anti-social behaviour
and the role of judges in tackling it.The all-party Committee requested
the meeting after several cases where repeat offenders were given
suspended sentences. In its reply, the Courts service felt it would be inappropriate for judges to meet in case they would later be accused
of bias.

This is not good enough. Everyone has to play their part in
tackling the scourge of anti-social activity, and we all have to work
together. For too long the Courts have been the weakest link in tackling
this problem. It is impossible for Gardaí and Councils to play an effective
part if the same people continue to commit the same offences, and
never end up in prison. If they know they can get away with it, why would
they stop? We need a thorough overhaul of how sentences are decided.
A reform of this area has been promised for some time but little has
happened. Without it, the scourge will continue.

Dublin Bike Scheme

The launch of the DublinBikes scheme has been a great
success. It was spearheaded by the Labour Councillors.
Since its launch last autumn, over 26,000 people have
signed up to the scheme, and each weekday over 4,000
trips are taken on the bicycles.

Once you sign up, you can visit one of the 40 stations
around the City Centre and take a bike. The first 30 minutes
is free and a nominal charge is applied to people
who use a bike for longer. See www.dublinbikes.ie for
more information.