Council Archives

Roselawn residents at wits’ end over anti social behaviour

Tue 21 May 2002

Cllr Timmy Conway said gurriers are going into Roselawn at night and scaring residents there. He said the situation is now “very dangerous”.

A large majority of residents blame the pedestrian walkway which connects Woodlands and Roselawn with the Blessington Road for many of the problems in their estate and want it closed off.

At recent meeting councillors agreed that the situation be reviewed and agreed that the town clerk write to the residents’ associations informing them of the official procedures to have the route closed.

“Residents are suffering. Windows are being broken by bottles and people are afraid to use the walkway at night as its being used for all sorts of purposes,” Cllr Conway said.

In a report, the town clerk said a formal procedure was necessary over the closing of these pedestrian routes under the Road Act and it would be up to the residents to formally apply to the council to have them closed off.

Notice must then be placed in the papers.

The town clerk reminded councillors that it is an objective of the Naas Town Development Plan to provide such links in the town but he said it was a reserved function of the council to close off rights of way if they saw fit.

Cllr Pat McCarthy said people in Roselawn are “at their wits’ end” over vandalism in the estate and culprits make good their escape via the walk way.

He said a survey found that 98% of residents want to see it shut off and the Gardai are also in favour of this.

He suggested the town clerk inform them of the official procedures to be put in train.

Cllr McCarthy added: “We should be talking about closing the one from Roselawn to the Blessington Road. We would have to find out from the residents’ association of Woodlands if they support the idea.”

The fact that such connecting walkways provide shortcuts for people to catch a bus was pointed out by Cllr Pat O’Reilly. He said there was another route linking Woodlands with Kingsfurze.

Cllr Charlie Byrne said most walkways are unlit at night and “anything can happen in them”. He said consideration must be given to any such short walkways where danger can lurk.

He condemned “black-guardism” saying: “You can’t even have walk ways without them being abused.”