Bingo parking causing chaos, say councillors

Cork’s city manager has been asked to tackle parking problems outside a bingo hall.

Several city councillors said they fear the volume of parking outside Rock Bingo in Togher could block ambulances or fire brigades from gaining access to the nearby St Finbarr’s GAA club in the event of an emergency.

“The parking is a hazard from health and safety point of view,” said Cllr Mary Shields (FF).

Cllr Michael Ahern (Lab) called for traffic wardens to blitz the area on bingo nights.

Cllr Henry Cremin (SF) said that, since Rock Bingo opened, the parking problem was “getting out of control”.

Deanrock Villas and the Barr’s Lane, which lead into the GAA club’s complex, are worst affected on bingo nights, said Mr Cremin.

After a lengthy legal battle, the 1,000-seater Rock Bingo venue opened earlier this year in a small industrial estate with limited parking.

On bingo nights, hundreds of cars are parked on the narrow roadway outside the venue which leads directly to St Finbarr’s GAA club.

Ms Shields, a club member, said motorists were parking on both sides of the road.

“It is causing traffic chaos. There is no way, if cars are parked on both sides of the road, that emergency vehicles could get into the club grounds.

“My main concern is that emergency service vehicles would be blocked from getting in in the event of a fire, or a serious injury at an event.”

She raised the issue in February and said she was unhappy with the response of officials, who said the city council did not have the resources to police the parking and that it was a matter for gardaí.

Gardaí can only take action if vehicles are parked illegally or are obstructing gates. Motorists parking on Barr’s Lane are not parking illegally.

Ms Shields said something must be done soon.

“It’s a simple solution. Run two yellow lines down one side of the road. It could prevent a potential tragedy,” she said.

City manager Tim Lucey accepted there was a parking problem in the area and agreed to discuss the matter with gardaí to identify any measures that could be carried out by the city council.

Court case

The State yesterday accepted in the High Court that a Cork bingo hall has been operating within the law.

The declaration was made in the announcement of the settlement of a case brought by Omega Leisure, trading as Rock Bingo Club, against Togher-based Garda Supt Charles Barry, the Garda Commissioner, and the State.

Yesterday Mr Justice Frank Clarke was told the sides had resolved the issues and the matter could be struck out. Brendan Grehan SC, for the State, said it was accepted that during the period covered by the proceedings Omega was operating within the law as had been declared by the judge recently.

Dave Barber, whose family operates Omega, said afterward: “We are very happy with the outcome of today’s proceedings, and are very happy with the state declaration... This has been a very trying and traumatic experience for our family and everyone involved with Rock Bingo”

— Ann O’Loughlin