Food vans banned at park near Limerick's TUS Gaelic Grounds as locals left 'devastated' by damage - Ireland News Beep

FOOD trucks and casual traders have been banned from a green space in the shadow of TUS Gaelic Grounds by council bosses.

It comes after residents were left “devastated” after their park was cut up by a catering van, which was driven across the green at Greystones Park in Caherdavin.

The move comes ahead of the summer of hurling and football, with Limerick’s GAA headquarters set to host a number of matches.

Council executive Sonja Reidy confirmed the local authority will no longer issue licences for traders to operate in Greystones Park – and from now, no trucks will be allowed trade on that site.

The authority will also launch a clampdown, introducing signage to “clearly indicate that parking and trading on the green are prohibited”.

The news came following a motion by northside councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara at this month’s metropolitan meeting.

The Social Democrats councillor told of how residents in Greystones Park cleared up their green on Good Friday, April 3, as part of Team Limerick Clean-Up.

But just hours after they had finished, they found a van parked up on the green in readiness for the Limerick v Cork national hurling league final on Easter Sunday, April 5.

“This truck was given permission to set up on the green, just inside the exit from the park to Ennis Road. There’s no road access to get to this location so the driver drove across the green to reach their assigned spot. In doing this, they significantly damaged the green that residents had spent the morning cleaning,” he said. “Residents were devastated”.

Cllr Hickey-O’Mara insisted locals love the GAA, appreciate the life spectators at TUS Gaelic Grounds can bring to their community and recognise the need to have casual traders.

“However, the significant damage to Greystones Park where residents walk their dogs, where their children play, was a step too far,” he added.

Ms Reidy confirmed council had, following the damage to the green, “taken immediate action” with the trader to “remediate the damage caused”.

“Having assessed the extent of the damage and engaged with local residents, it has been determined casual trading licences will exclude the green area,” she added.

“In parallel, the council is actively examining alternative locations for licensed food traders on GAA matchdays that will not adversely impact residential amenity or public green spaces,” she added in her written response to the motion.

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Food vans banned at park near Limerick’s TUS Gaelic Grounds as locals left ‘devastated’ by damage

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