Call for bollards to prevent joyriding in Limerick estate

THE COUNCIL is planning a development of Garryowen Green, which could see bollards erected to stop joyriders.

That’s according to senior executive engineer in roads, Mike Richardson, who was responding to a plea from Labour councillor Padraigh Reale to install the blocks.

He saw a notice of motion passed that the local authority carry out a safety audit in respect to raised ramps in the green area, with bollards put in place.

This, he said, would stop the ramps being used as “launch pads” for cars entering or riding on the green.
Cllr Reale says since replacing Labour TD Conor Sheehan on the authority, he has been “inundated” with calls from Garryowen locals.

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“Residents tell me of their torment at the sound and sight of constant joyriding on the green space and the ease of accessibility to the green due to the printed ramps in place,” he told this month’s metropolitan district meeting.

He says while residents welcome road safety measures, in this instance, these need to be enhanced to ensure Garryowen Green does not become a race track “like scenes from Mondello Park”.

Mondello Park is Ireland's only international motorsport venue and is based in Kildare.

Cllr Reale said residents living adjacent to the greenspace are fearful of cars mistiming their exits and coming in over their front wall, or even front windows.

In a written reply, Mr Richardson stated that the council’s operations team will review the northside councillor's request for bollards where they are suitable - depending on budget availability.

His motion - the first he has submitted since becoming a councillor - won support from northside members Olivia O’Sullivan, who seconded it, alongside Sharon Benson, Shane Hickey O’Mara and Sarah Beasley.

Separately, plans for a closed circuit television system in Garryowen are being examined by the garda commissioner’s team. It comes after the council’s digital services team made an application for a camera set to cover Garryowen, Killalee and Johnsgate.