Residents object to car park development plan

A MAJOR row has erupted again between the residents of a Dublin square and the owner of a park after it was opened up yesterday as a public car park.

Local people living around Dartmouth Square in Ranelagh have expressed outrage at the decision by Athlone businessman Noel O’Gara to try and turn a popular amenity area into a public car park.

There was heated exchanges between the two sides at the gates to the park yesterday morning after Mr O’Gara erected a sign offering all-day parking for €10 on the site.

He blocked an attempt by Dartmouth Square resident, Geraldine Cusack, 60, to park her car in front of the access gate to the park.

Illegal double yellow lines painted in front of the entrance were removed last weekend.

However, gardaí called to the scene yesterday instructed Ms Cusack to park her vehicle in a manner which did not block the access gate. Nevertheless, the only vehicles parked within the grounds of the park appeared to belong to Mr O’Gara and a number of his assistants.

The site was visited throughout the day by a number of local TDs and councillors who offered their support to local residents.

The issue was also raised at a meeting of Dublin City Council last night when local Fine Gael councillors Brian Gillen and Lucinda Creighton asked for an emergency debate to discuss the latest developments. Both councillors called on the local authority to take immediate legal proceedings against Mr O’Gara for carrying out commercial activity on a site zoned for open space.

The park in the centre of the Victorian Square was acquired by the controversial businessman last year.

He subsequently sought to block access to the park by putting padlocks on the gates last January.

Dublin City Council then failed in its attempts to reach agreement with Mr O’Gara to open up the park to the public again. Last night, a council spokesperson said its legal representatives were still examining the legality of establishing a temporary car park on the site.

Mr O’Gara claimed he was perfectly entitled to set up the facility as the park was his property.

An Bord Pleanála is due to rule within the next fortnight on an application by Dublin City Council to serve a Compulsory Purchase Order on the site.

It is understood that Mr O’Gara values the property at €170m.