Open Croke Park? Ask the local residents

THE debate over the GAA opening Croke Park to other sports has come around again. The one voice absent in all the recent fuss has been that of the local residents.

On every match day these residents are forced to suffer. Their area is sealed off, litter is strewn about and doorways and gardens are used as toilets.

Apart from areas blocked off by the gardaí, every residential street in a mile plus radius becomes part of a giant car park.

While residents are not anti-Croke Park or anti-GAA, they do expect measures to be taken to reduce regular disruption and nuisance. Despite years of effort by community groups to have this addressed, the GAA has failed to deliver. Until ongoing difficulties are resolved, it is unthinkable even to consider inflicting additional match days on residents.

All those calling for the opening of Croke Park also have an obligation to pressurise the GAA to become good neighbours. The GAA has benefited enormously from the Government’s generosity. They have received, and will continue to receive, millions of euro in taxpayers’ money.

The least that can be asked is that they treat the taxpayers surrounding Croke Park with respect. Bearing in mind that this is the heart of the Taoiseach’s own constituency, surely this is not too much to ask.

Joe Mooney,

34, Merchants Square,

East Wall,

Dublin.