Killester residents do not want army memorial

As a resident of Killester, I take issue with your Clontarf correspondent’s support for a British Army memorial here (Irish Examiner, April 3).

Two issues are being confused. Most local people favour preserving the Killester Community Hall, which was built by a British Army charity — as were a number of the bungalows — in 1929. The hall has been used by the local community for children’s classes for many years, with no reference to history or politics. Its preservation will enhance the architectural integrity of the area, and its “garden village” status.

A British Army memorial, however, would not enhance the area. Killester is a quiet residential area, and I, and most other residents, want it free from political controversy, or attempts to use the threat to the local hall to stir up history and old animosities. Our community hall should be preserved in such a way that all residents of the area, and indeed of North Dublin, are comfortable with its use and availability.

Killester residents come from many parts of Ireland, and from outside Ireland, and do not want their area to be singled out for the type of controversy that follows the erection of British Army or WWI or WWII monuments.

So please keep our area out of politics and let us retain the quiet, residential garden village we all enjoy living in.

Jim Comiskey

Killester Ave

Dublin 5