History to date on Foxborough Concerned Residents Group
December 2001 – Residents noticed building contractors moving onto the site behind Foxborough Grove
When several residents queried what was being built, one of the builders said it was to be a Halting Site
Residents individually contacted South Dublin County Council and got a negative response.
January 2002 - Residents individually contacted our County Councillors. The reply from these councillors was that the site was an Emergency Temporary site for which South Dublin County Council did not need planning permission or consultation with the local community. The councillors also claimed that they were not informed until recently and they stressed that they did not have a vote on this matter.
We were informed that the person in charge of this development was Mr. Mick Fagan, Executive Housing Officer, South Dublin County Council.
We attempted several times to get a response from Mr. Fagan, but to no avail.
Councillor Paul Gogarty invited one of our residents to attend a Council Meeting. Our spokesperson, Mr David Tapley attended this meeting on the 29/1/2002.
Mr. Mick Fagan claimed at this meeting that he would meet with residents of Foxborough to address their concerns.
Mr Tapley spoke at length with Councillor Paul Gogarty and also with Mr Fagan and was assured by Mr Fagan that he would come and see the residents soon.
February 2002 - After several telephone calls Mr Fagan made a provisional appointment to meet with us, he did not confirm this appointment but nevertheless several residents met up and waited for his arrival. When he did not appear, these residents decided to set up a lobby group. Foxborough Concerned Residents Group was born.
Foxborough Concerned Residents Group contacted various newspapers and after this Mr Fagan contacted us to organise another meeting. Such was the interest we had to hire a local hall. Members of Foxborough Concerned Residents Group delivered flyers to the entire Foxborough Estate of over 750 houses.
This meeting was attended by over 100 residents and by Mr Fagan, Mr Austin Currie TD, Councillor Paul Gogarty, Mr Des Kelly Fianna F«il Candidate, Councillor Therese Ridge, Councillor Joanna Tuffy.
Foxborough Concerned Residents Group presented Mr Fagan with a list of proposals (email us for copy of list) Mr Fagan promised he would respond to us by the following Friday week 1st March 2002.
To date (10/3/02) we have not had any response from Mr Fagan.
March 2002 - Recently it was brought to our attention that planning permission must be sought for developments which cost in excess of £50,000. This halting site has cost the taxpayer over £350,000 to date and this site is not yet complete. South Dublin County Council Managers claim that they are exempt from this planning as they are claiming "emergency provision". FCGR oppose this due to the fact that the members of Travelling Community who are to live in this site have been illegally encamped on the side of Balgaddy Road for seven years and the real emergency is that South Dublin County Council want to build houses where the Travellers are encamped at present.
South Dublin County Council have recently published a message to the Community, this is the first paragraph:
"South Dublin County Council into the Millennium.
Millennium Message from An Cathaoirleach and County Manager.
South Dublin County Council works in Partnership with the Community"
Foxborough Concerned Residents Group vehemently oppose this statement and challenge South Dublin County Council to show where they have been working in partnership with the residents of Foxborough. Mr Mick Fagan from South Dublin County Council admits to ignoring local communities where ever they want to build "Emergency" halting sites.
Foxborough Concerned Residents Group are aware that South Dublin County Council have to implement the directive from the government to house members of the travelling community. What we object to is that South Dublin County Council have built these structures with absolutely no thought or concern of the local residents.
Due to all the publicity surrounding this issue, we have been contacted by Mr Jackie Dunne, Spokesperson of Glenview Residents Association and a resident of Glenview in Tallaght. He informed us that South Dublin County Council have built a halting site close to their homes and practically the same situation we are in at present.
Mr Dunne claims that South Dublin County Council have built these "Emergency" halting site in various locations in their locality and have had not consulted any of the local communities involved. At present the residents of Glenview are subjected to fumes from fires, speeding cars and dumping on this halting site, this is despite Mr Mick Fagans assurances to the contrary. Just as the residents of Foxborough have been promised.
Mr Dunne also informed us that another group in the Fingal Area brought Fingal County Council to the High Court over the same issue and won their case. At present Foxborough Concerned Residents Group are researching this case and will attempt to make contact with this group. Foxborough Concerned Residents Group will be looking into a legal case against South Dublin County Council.
Foxborough Concerned Residents Group are also presenting a case to the Ombudsman.
9th March 2002 – Mr Des Kelly kindly took time out of his Election campaigning to introduce Foxborough Concerned Residents Group to Mr Noel Dempsey, TD and Minister for the Environment and we presented our case to him.
Mr Dempsey listened to our side and saw photos of the Halting Site and its proximity to the houses of Foxborough Grove.
Mr Dempsey, stated that it takes three years minimum to procure a site for development of a Permanent Halting Site. This piece of information totally defies what Mick Fagan and South Dublin County Council have promised. (That the Halting Site will be there for max of 18 months to 2 years)
He was also made aware of an ESB mast which is to be built beside the Halting Site.
This Mast will also be opposed by Foxborough Concerned Residents Group on the grounds that it is a health risk and an eyesore to families living close by.