Claims 'open drug taking' is going on at Kilkenny Skatepark as safety fears grow

Local councillors have widely condemned the rise of anti-social behaviour at the city’s skatepark with calls to step up security in the area echoed across the council floor.

In a motion penned by Cllr Maria Dollard for September’s sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District, the Green Party councillor called on Kilkenny County Council to improve public lighting in the skate park and its environs and explore the possibility of installing CCTV.

The city councillor told this month's meeting that the local park is 'a risk to safety' especially for children with broken bottles and glasses hiding in plain sight.

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"This assessment should include consultation with the Biodiversity Officer bearing in mind the sensitivity of the site beside the River Nore,” she noted, adding, "consultation should also include An Garda Síochana regarding the use of CCTV cameras to improve public safety."

Cllr Dollard told members that it ‘wasn’t just a skatepark’ and it is ‘very frequently used’ by members of the public walking from one location to another in the city centre.

"Lighting and safety is very important and people need to be able to feel safe. I have raised with gardaí anti-social behaviour and other forms of illegal activity that have come to my attention," she continued.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness alleged there was 'open drug taking' in the park by some and the council alongside other relevant bodies such as gardaí "need to step up security."

"More lighting is needed down there as there is certainly a security issue," he commented.

The Labour Party’s Sean Ó hArgain concurred, commenting: "I think there are issues arising out of the skate park that need to be addressed."

Cllr Ó hArgain also acknowledged the legal difficulty Kilkenny and other county councils experience around the country in securing legal permission to install CCTV in particular locations.

"There has to be more power and flexibility given to local councils to be able to react and put CCTV in place where we feel it’s appropriate," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Joe Malone seconded the motion.

"These areas are great facilities but they need to be lit up more," he said.

"There is stuff going on down there."

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