MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
QUESTION NO. 4
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive to present a report on how the issues of quads and bikes in North Clondalkin can be dealt with, especially in public green spaces and that the Guards also be written to be made aware of this worrying local problem.
REPLY:
The use of any motorised vehicles in parks or public open spaces is prohibited under Section 3 of the Parks and Open Spaces Bye-laws 2011.
3.1 Save with the permission of the Council, no person shall bring into a Park any Mechanically Propelled Vehicle which includes for the avoidance of doubt motorcycles, motor-cross / quad bikes or other powered vehicles. Such vehicles may be removed from the park / open space by An Garda Síochána.
3.2 Where a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle is permitted access to a Park (e.g. Council fleet, commercial suppliers), the vehicle shall be driven carefully subject to a maximum speed limit of 20kph on the authorised routes within the Park, other than where expressly permitted by the Council.
As with other types of anti-social behaviour, this type of anti-social behaviour often occurs outside of normal park opening hours. Where local residents witness such unauthorised use taking place, they should report such incidents to the Gardaí who are authorised under the Bye-laws to take action. While the Gardaí’s powers of seizure do not extend to public parks and open spaces, under Section 3.2. of the Parks and Open Spaces Bye-laws, they have the power to remove such vehicles from a public park or open space.
If local residents have any information in relation to the owners / users of these vehicles, it would be helpful if they would provide this information to the Gardaí and /or County Council to assist in the taking of further action against the owners of such vehicles.
