GADRA Committee Attendeescouncillor Attendees

GADRA AGM 2017

27/9/2017

GADRA Committee AttendeesCouncillor Attendees

John Webb (Chairperson)Aine Clancy Labour (North West Area Partnership)

Brendan Gaffney(Treasurer)Paul McAuliffe (Fianna Fail)

Ruth Carty

Declan CampbellCommunity Garda

Elaine McKennaGarda Martin Lynch

Brian McDonnell Public Rep

Sean Farrell Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

1. Chairman’s Address

The Chair welcomed all attendees and introduced the agenda for the evening.

1. Community Garda Presentation

1. Crime Statistics

Garda Martin Lynch reviewed crime levels in the area from Dec 7th until the current date. He noted that there was a spike in burglaries during the winter and advised people to lock doors and to use their alarms, if installed. He noted that there was a trend of people leaving their house and closing the door but not engaging locks – he advised engaging locks as it would prove more difficult to force a door open. If residents were not at home, he advised taking measures to make a home look occupied, such as leaving lights on, as well as radios or TVs. He recommended that if there was a knock on the door, rather than ignoring it if you were not expecting a visitor, to go to an upstairs window and look out – there have been cases where people are knocking as a ruse to check if a resident is home. In addition, he recommended installation of an alarm if possible, at least on the ground floor which was the most common access point. A member of the audience noted that if a person were installing an alarm, to be sure to use a Private Association Alarm (PSA) system, linked via GSM to either a central station or to a mobile. Finally he suggested that people note the serial number of key items such as phones, laptops, IPad, bicycles, as in the event it was recovered after theft, this would ensure that the Gardaí could return the items to their rightful owner.

1. Access to the Garda Siochana

Our Community Garda noted that the local Garda station was Santry, although people could attend Ballymun station either, if more convenient. He also noted that, since the closure of Whitehall Garda Station, that a member of the Gardaí would attend a clinic in Corpus Christi Hall from 10.30AM to 12PM every Tuesday and were available for signing forms, advice etc. Finally, he confirmed that additional resources were being added to the Community Garda function.

1. Detection Figures

A member of the audience queried the low solve rates. Our Community Garda noted that it was hard to get a solve rate in the absence of things like a witness, CCTV footage, a finger print or DNA. However, he also noted that these crimes remained open if not solved, and sometimes these crimes were solved many years later

1. Text alert

A member of the audience noted that the text alert function was no longer working. Garda Martin confirmed that a technical issue had arisen and that the system was currently not working. However, the person who managed this system was back at work now and would address the issue. In addition, he himself was going to be trained on the system so that it would be less reliant on the availability of a single person. He noted that if anyone wished to receive these alerts, that they should provide their number to a member of the GADRA Committee.

1. Expressions of Gratitude

Both the GADRA Chair John Webb and Cllr Aine Clancy thanked the Community Garda for his support.

1. 2016 Accounts Review

A sheet detailing the audited accounts was circulated to attendees. GADRA’s Treasurer Brendan Gaffney reviewed the key figures for the audience, noting that expenditure was €1138, which was primarily accounted for by costs related to the setting up of a website and printing costs. The closing balance at the end of 2016 had been €12,554.96. He noted that there had been no collection during the year as the existing funding was deemed adequate.

1. Chairman’s Review of Activity

GADRA’s Chairperson John Webb provided a statement of the key activities for the previous year, which included:

1. Website

A website established. All key communications and information relating to issues in the area are available here. It is also possible to contact the Committee through the website.

1. Extension of Membership

Over the course of the year, the membership catchment area for GADRA was extended to include the southern side of Home Farm Road – previously only the northern side of the road was included in the area of responsibility. The Chair welcomed any new members attending the AGM to the residents association.

1. No. 11 Bus Route

The Chair noted concerns regarding the possible abandonment of the no. 11 bus route and confirmed that GADRA had submitted objections to the National Transport Authority. The details of the submissions are available on the GADRA website.

1. Planning Objections

A number of objections were supported, where support had been sought.

1. Attendance at Drumcondra & Glasnevin Community Forum

The Chair explained that Dublin City Council hold a forum meting every approx. 3 months in the Maples House Hotel. The most recent meeting was on the night of the GADRA AGM (i.e. 27th Sept) and was hosted by Mary Taylor (Assistant Area Manager for Dublin North West). A key topic had been the road closure trail at Walsh Road (further details provided later). A number of the GADRA Committee attended the meeting before coming to the AGM.

1. DCU Connectivity Plans

The Chair detailed DCU plans to create a connectivity route between the Glasnevin Campus and Drumcondra Campuses. He confirmed that GADRA had objected to the plans for a number of reasons, including:

• Concerns regarding potential impact on Albert College Park, which was a peaceful, public facility, widely used by the community, and through which a cycle lane was being proposed. The Chair noted that there was no agreement with the Park Manager on the proposal;
• The Eustace family had not been consulted, despite the route traversing their lands;
• The route travelled to the rear of a number of properties on The Rise, raising security concerns;
• The potential metro station is not accounted for in considering the exit point onto Griffith Avenue;
• The remainder of the route traversed the Island roads and sections of Home Farm Road, which were too narrow to accommodate cycle traffic.
• All of the above planned disruption was to reduce cycle time by a few minutes only.

The Chair emphasised that GADRA was not anti-cycling, and that concerns or objections raised were not to be interpreted as such.

1. Road Closures

The Chair noted the temporary closure at the southern end of Walsh Road, which was an initiative attempting to solve an issue with the road being used as a rat run. It was noted that the solution chosen was not an appropriate solution as it simply transferred the problem to neighbouring areas, creating new traffic flows that were proving problematic, and limiting access to facilities such as the Health Centre, Library and St Patrick’s School. He confirmed that GADRA had raised concerns regarding this issue.

1. Discussions

The discussions were opened to the audience and the following were the key points raised:

• Additional Concerns regarding DCU Proposed Connectivity Plans

A member of the audience noted that the route also passed to the rear of a number of properties on Griffith Avenue, raising in security concerns for these residents also.

• Griffith Avenue Concerns

A member of the audience raised a concern regarding the use of Griffith Avenue by Super EU trucks on a daily basis, also noting excessive speeds on the road combined with the fact that there were no speed signs on the road. In addition, the condition of the road, particularly on the section from the church to the morgue, was in poor condition with a number of large holes that were a risk to the elderly residents. GADRA Committee noted the recent presence of a speed van at the church on a regular basis, which could address the speeding issue.

• Meeting with DCU and Arup regarding Proposed DCU Connectivity Plans

Cllr A. Clancy noted that a meeting to discuss connectivity proposals was held between GADRA and DCU/Arup, which she had also attended. The Cllr noted that DCU’s Sustainability Officer (Samantha Fahy) had confirmed that Route 6, which had looked optimal, was now looking less attractive. The Cllr also noted that any introduction of a cycle path in Albert Park would need to go to the DCC Councillors for vote. (NOTE – Meeting notes of this meeting are available at

• Discussions regarding Proposed DCU Connectivity Plans

Additional points raised by the audience were:

• Concerns on the part of Home Farm Park residents that a new route would be developed through their cul-de-sac into the rear of DCU’s St Pats Campus
• Concerns on the part of Bantry Road residents regarding the lack of suitability of the road to additional cycle traffic, noting that it was already difficult to exit driveways onto the road, without the additional cycle and potentially pedestrian traffic. GADRA’s Chair noted that this was the case for all of the Island roads. The audience member was noted that it seemed that the welfare of the students was being put ahead of the welfare of residents.
• Another audience member noted that the DCU connectivity study routes seemed to be a case of simply drawing lines on maps, with one section of the recommended route being via Church Avenue, which was barely wide enough for him to walk with his dog! He felt that the study showed that the consultants had no knowledge of the residential area, resulting in a study that was completely disconnected from the needs of the locality.
• While one member of the audience noted that the existing cycle route on Collins Avenue and Drumcondra Road should be used, another audience member noted that this route was regularly being used with two cyclists abreast, which was hazardous to pedestrians, suggesting that cycle paths incorporated onto pathways was not appropriate.
• It was noted that alternative routes did exist which addressed some of the concerns e.g. going along the edge of Albert College park rather than through it etc. – it was put to the Committee that options such as this should be considered as an alternative to DCU proposals.
• A number of additional concerns were raised regarding shared usage of paths by cyclists and pedestrians, with the junction at Home Farm / Drumcondra Road being specifically noted.

• Briefing of Discussions at Drumcondra & Glasnevin Community Forum Meeting

Brian McDonnell (GADRA Committee) provided to AGM attendees an outline of some key points arising at the Forum meeting, specifically noting that members of the Planning or Traffic Dept. at DCC had not been in attendance, despite being requested to attend. He confirmed that Mary Taylor, Asst. Area Manager had indicated that the current road closure scheme at Walsh Road would be “tweaked” in a number of areas e.g. filter lights coming off the main road onto Millmount, yellow boxes, and removal of restrictions from turning right from Home Farm Road onto Ferguson or Walsh Roads at peak times. He confirmed that a concern was raised at the Forum meeting regarding how the impact of the changes would be incorporated into the calculation of results from the study.

• Discussions regarding Road Closure at Walsh Road:

Additional points raised by the audience were:

• The significant impact of the road closure on access to shared facilities such as the library was noted.
• It was commented that the scheme trial period seemed to have extended from the possible 6-9 months to a definite 9 month period without any discussion/engagement.
• The substantial increase in traffic on Home Farm Road; Botanic Avenue; Griffith Avenue; Gracepark Road; Whitworth Road; etc, was discussed in detail.
• The considerable impact of the road closure on businesses on the affected road was noted by one business owner –the owner of DERWINs who said that unless the road reopened he would go out of business.
• It was specifically noted that on the morning of the GADRA AGM, the traffic on Home Farm Road had been backed up to such an extent that the no. 11 bus could not turn onto Home Farm Road from Mobhi Road, thus blocking the bus lane for other users of the lane.
• The fact that the consultant’s study that recommended the Walsh Road closure trial had not addressed the question of displaced traffic or the impact on the surrounding areas was heavily criticised.
• It was acknowledged that there was an issue with rat run traffic via Walsh/Ferguson which needed to be addressed, but noted that there were other options which could reduce the issue and result in less of an impact on surrounding areas.
• A proposal of a park and ride at IKEA was suggested as a potential means of reducing traffic in affected areas.
• It was noted that the Island roads were also a rat run, but that there had been no consideration of whether these should also be closed.
• The level of transparency regarding the decision making process and level of consultation prior to implementing the trial closure was stronglycriticised.
• The level of engagement during the trial, as evidenced by the lack of attendance of relevant DCC parties at the Forum meeting, was also criticised.
• The impact of “tweaking” of current arrangements on the outcome of the trial was raised as a concern, primarily in terms of clarity regarding how the conclusions would be drawn at the end of the assessment period, if the goal posts were moved during the assessment.
• In particular the narrow term of reference which would be used to determine the ultimate success or failure of the scheme were condemned. It was noted that these terms of reference had only been sourced following a Freedom of Information request submitted by GADRA to DCC, rather than been made readily available.
• It was felt that, now that the scheme was in the middle of a trial, the only way to address the issue was via the Councillors.
• It was proposed by the audience that, given the significant impact arising from the road closures, that consideration be given to whether the proposal could be re-examined before the end of the trial period.
• It was queried by the GADRA Committee, given the concerns of the AGM attendees whether there was a mandate to the Committee to highlight concerns of members to DCC and the Councillors. GADRA’s Chair asked for a show of hands to confirm support for this mandate – there was a majority of hands raised to support the motion.
• As a means of acting on this mandate, it was proposed that GADRA would co-ordinate a petition for DCC noting concerns regarding the scheme, and seeking the cessation of the scheme to allow re-assessment.
• GADRA members volunteered to assist with collection of signatures and names were collected for this purpose.

1. Close of Meeting

GADRA’s Chair closed the meeting, thanking Councillors and all attendees for their contributions.

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