Limerick mayor signs order for planning officers on modular homes project at site of park

One councillor has called for a special meeting to take place this coming Monday to 'halt all works' on Boro Park to 'protect green spaces'

On social media, John Moran, said comments made about the four 'security guards' were a 'rumour spread to sow distrust in the community'. File picture

Limerick mayor John Moran has signed off on a mayoral order to appoint planning officers to consult on the development of modular homes in Boro Park, despite criticism from local residents.

Over €16,000 is to be spent on the appointment of the team, following the recommendation of the Limerick council’s director of housing, Vincent Murray.

This comes after over 100 residents expressed their disagreement at a public meeting, at which it was claimed Mr Moran had brought four security guards.

One of the key priorities of the mayoral programme is the construction of modular units on a number of council-owned sites across the city, including plans to develop some at Boro Park.

Over €170,000 in funding was allocated by the local authority to convert Janesboro’s Boro Field into a park to be used by residents. In 2021, Boro Park officially opened to the public. As the proposed sites are on public land, local councillors will have their word on the proposals.

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Councillor Sarah Kiely, who represents Limerick City East, has called for a special meeting to take place this coming Monday, to “halt all works” on Boro Park to “protect green spaces”.

She told the Irish Examiner: “The intention was always to have it as a green space, because otherwise we wouldn't have put nearly €200,000 into it during covid when basically no other works could take place."

“We turned an unused piece of wasteland into a park and it is down as one of the parks. A contractor comes every morning and opens it, and every evening closes it, it’s under the care of the parks department. It’s a well-used, well-known public park.”

A local soccer club has a licence agreement to allow children to train in the park, a walking club is set up there, as well as events organised by Limerick Sports Partnership.

On the night of the public meeting, Ms Kiely said four people attended the event for security purposes.

“I was told they weren't there for security. One guy in particular stood in front of us in the middle of the hall and you could see his security licence attached to his arm.

Councillor Sarah Kiely, who represents Limerick City East, said four people attended the event for security purposes, adding: 'One guy in particular stood in front of us in the middle of the hall and you could see his security licence attached to his arm.'

“A member of Limerick City and County Council told me last week there was a risk assessment done and it felt they deemed it necessary to have security at the meeting,” she said.

On social media, John Moran said comments made about the four “security guards” were a “rumour spread to sow distrust in the community”. He noted he was in the company of someone who “works at the security desk” of the council, who drove him that day.

In response to a query from the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for the mayoral office said: “On the evening in question, three personnel were present to assist with general crowd management and ensure the smooth running of the event, in line with standard practice for events organised by Limerick City and County Council.”

According to Mr Moran, a second meeting was due to take place after the venue capacity of the first meeting was “limited”. Over 800 residents have signed a petition to "Save Boro Park", which has been described as "the heart and soul of our community".