SOCIAL Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara wants an alternative location to be found for food trucks on GAA match days as residents have lost their appetite for illegal parking.
After recent damage to the green area in Greystones Park, Cllr Hickey-O’Mara told Limerick City and County Council that no vehicles are licensed to park on the site.
After the Good Friday Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC), he told Council members, residents were dismayed when a food truck was given permission to set up on the green by the local authority.
“The residents keep their area incredibly clean with litter picks happening throughout the year, not just during TLC, displaying the sort of community pride that has epitomised the area since the 1960s when it was built and when many of the current residents moved in.
“Greystones Park sits next to the Gaelic Grounds, so it is the only part of the community that is regularly littered in, hence why the residents choose to focus their efforts there during both TLC and throughout the year.
“Unfortunately, after spending the morning cleaning the park, residents were devastated when a food truck, licensed by Limerick Council, arrived that evening to set up for Sunday’s GAA matches,” the City North representative explained.
The truck was given permission to set up on the green, just inside the exit from the park to the Ennis Road. And with no road access to get to this location, the driver, Cllr Hickey-O’Mara revealed, drove across the green to reach the assigned spot.
“In doing this, they significantly damaged the green that the residents had spent the morning cleaning. Unfortunately, after the matches were finished on the Sunday, the same food truck drove back out of the green, damaging it further.”
He added that when GAA fans arrive at the Gaelic Grounds they are met with a beautiful park that is maintained by residents and Council workers. Many Greystones residents, the Social Democrats councillor explained, absolutely love GAA and understand the desire for pre and post-match fast food as well as the opportunity for vendors to make a living.
“However, the significant damage to Greystones Park, where residents walk their dogs, where their children play, was a step too far. I ask that no vehicles are permitted on the green at Greystones Park during events and that an alternative location is identified by Council staff for food trucks before the next events take place.
“While the re-seeding and flattening of the affected area is appreciated, it should never have happened and without action being taken now, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. This entire debacle has left a bad taste in residents’ mouths, particularly given their work during Team Limerick Clean-Up. Please don’t do this to them again,” Cllr Hickey-O’Mara pleaded.
Seconding the motion, Fine Gael councillor Olivia O’Sullivan said that those living in the area have become used to match traffic and generally don’t complain. Residents, she insisted, are very understanding, despite the significant impact, but were deeply upset by the damage caused to the green area on this occasion.
“It is up to the Council to manage this and work with the vendor. We manage it well on many occasions, but there should be no reason for this to happen,” Cllr O’Sullivan insisted.
In response, the Council said that, following recent damage to the green area at Greystones Park arising from casual trading
activity, it has taken immediate action with the trader to remediate the damage caused.
“Having assessed the extent of the damage and engaged with local residents, it has been determined that Casual Trading Licences will exclude the green area. This position has been confirmed to the Residents’ Committee and the trader concerned has been formally notified that trading at this location will not be permitted.
“Arrangements are also being progressed to install appropriate signage to clearly indicate that parking and trading on the green are prohibited. In parallel, the Council is actively examining alternative locations for licensed food traders on GAA match days that will not adversely impact residential amenity or public green spaces.
Engagement with relevant stakeholders, including residents, is ongoing to address any further concerns and to ensure a balanced approach that supports both community interests and regulated trading activity,” the Council stated.
– Local Democracy Reporting Scheme