Croke Park Residents Meeting

Wednesday 28th February 2024

Attendance:
Noeline Blackwell – Chair
Billy O’Keeffe – Community Liaison Officer
Peter McKenna – Croke Park Stadium Director
Superintendent Cormac Brennan – An Garda Síochána
Shay Brady - Dublin City Council
46 Residents from the local area surrounding Croke Park

• In addition to the ezine, Croke Park have introduced an online calendar which can be downloaded from the QR code on the website, and which will have up to date live information on the day.
• There is free compost available for collection at the Cusack Carpark on the weekend of April 20^th and 21^st.
• Croke Park are looking for new community team members and anyone interested is asked to contact [email protected] for details.
• An issue about the attendees at the Christmas dinner was raised. It was alleged that a publican and his family took a table and were not from the area and how this occurred.
• There was an issue raised about the size of the Newsletter – printed A5 size and not the usual A4.
• Billy O’Keeffe said Croke Park was unaware of this until shown the version distributed. The newsletter is contracted out and this is the first time he has seen the actual printed version.  The design, etc., had been signed off and the contract was that it be published on A4 paper.  He will go back to printers to correct.
• Superintendent Cormac Brennan from Mountjoy introduced himself and explained that Croke park was under his area of command.  His first piece of advice was for people to update their residential passes to the 2024 version.
• Issue with buskers playing outside someone’s house as they have been moved from bridge due to the cycleway works. The Superintendent said this matter will be followed up.
• During recent matches the smaller streets were closed but Clonliffe Road remained open.  The Superintendent explained that they try to minimise the disruption to residents and keep the roads open when it is safe to do so.
• Query was raised as to whether Croke Park contributes to funding Gardai presence at match days and concerts. The answer is yes, Croke Park does contribute as do the concert promoters.
• Coach parking in the Mountjoy Square area was raised as an ongoing issue and the Superintendent spoke with the residents who raised this issue at the end of the meeting.  People suggested more clamping should be utilised on busy days.
• The draw for the 2024 concert series took place last week. There are 100 pairs of tickets provided free of charge to residents for each concert. They are allocated by means of a draw from those who are registered on the Croke Park Resident database. These draws were observed by the Gardaí and those lucky enough to be drawn are currently being contacted.
• The issue of planning permission for 3 concerts was raised and how 6 concerts were happening in 2024.
• Peter McKenna said 3 concerts are allowed, but the stadium can apply for extra licences for more concerts. There are 6 concert dates booked in for 2024 which is one less than in 2022.
• A query was raised as to what constitutes the boundaries for access to ticket draw.  The boundaries are set at 1.5 kilometres from centre of stadium in all directions.  A suggestion was made that a booklet be developed to explain things to new residents.
• There was an issue about concerts taking place on the eve of when children returning to school.  This was an oversight and honestly not discussed when dates were being booked in.
• Community Gain – there is a need for residents to provide some suggestions and ideas as to what this might look like.  Any suggestions are welcome.
• Shay Brady from Dublin City Waste Management spoke about the huge issues around illegal dumping in the area. DCC have crews in every day dealing with this.
• A resident asked about the cleaning extending to the side streets and mentioned that a sweeper is not sufficient to clear the rubbish that gathered.
• New planters are being used as bins. Seems to be an Issue around responsibility, for this.  It appears inside planters it is ‘The Parks Department’ responsibility and the streetscape fall under Waste Management.
• There has been a reduction in the actual number of waste bins.  People eat their lunch outside Clonliffe College and no bins, so rubbish left all over the place.
• A request was made to introduce Bottle Banks on Jones Road. DCC looked into this and it is unlikely that we will find a suitable location. Bottle Banks can be noisy and therefore they must be 50 meters from the nearest residents.
• DCC said they will review the bin situation and will try using leaf blowers on these overtime shifts on match days will provide a better standard of cleaning.  There is a skip bag on Portland Street. This was removed following the meeting.
• Access to Clonliffe College rose. No access for residents. People looking for green spaces. Questions re back of current hotel.
• The idea that there could be community gain in a children's play area was raised and a call out for other possible ideas was requested. 
• Peter McKenna responded by saying it is a building site and that work would be commencing on the hotel beginning in April. The rear of The Croke Park Hotel is currently being used for storage.
• Flooding was raised as an issue due to density of buildings now.  In the past Irish Water did turn off valves which caused water issues. The existing sewers are pre-Victorian, but planners say the current sewage adequate. Croke Park equally frustrated and willing to join with residents to discuss the matter with Irish Water.