Anti-social behaviour forcing community groups in county to re-think running local facilities

Some community groups are considering stepping away from running facilities due to anti-social behaviour, Roscommon County Council has been told.

At a recent meeting, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice asked that the council enact a lakeshore bye-law and a parks, playgrounds and open spaces bye-law to create regulations governing activities and behaviour near lakeshores, playgrounds and open spaces. The bye-law would include council owned lands and council lands leased to community groups.

In response, the council said it currently has bye-laws in place specific to the Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon Town, and the Pleasure Grounds, Boyle.

“In both cases, the bye-laws cover both parks and the recreational playgrounds within the parks. The bye-laws are intended to control, regulate, protect, and manage the operation and day to day use of the parks. Prohibited acts governed by these bye-laws include litter, graffiti, traffic, bicycles, skateboards, animals, public disorder/nuisance, vandalism, drugs and intoxicating liquor, trading, and musical performances.” 

It added that consideration can be given to the development of all-inclusive bye-laws for parks and open spaces including water areas, under the control of Roscommon County Council. A draft bye-law or laws will be prepared and brought through the relevant committee, the council concluded, adding that a public consultation process will also be required.

Welcoming the reply, Cllr Fitzmaurice said that the Gorthaganny Community Development Association had asked him to look into this. He said the group is involved in a hugely successful project at Errit Lake but some of the problems that have arisen have made it almost impossible to keep going.

“On many occasions, they said it is getting too hard to run this facility. The lands are owned by Roscommon County Council and it would be a shame to see a community group come away from running a facility because of issues that could be helped with bye-laws,” he said.

He agreed that it was important that the matter be sent to the strategic policy committee. He stressed that the committee also look at lands owned by the council but run by community groups.

The proposal was seconded and agreed.