UN Human Rights Charter invoked in Croke Park objection
DAMIAN LAWLOR
THE GAA's plan to stage the final international rules test at night in Croke Park was scrapped because residents as far as three miles away claimed the floodlights would impact on their lives.
The GAA initially sought to play the second Ireland/Australia match under lights at 7.30 on November 5. Everything looked in place when plans for their lighting system were approved by Dublin City Council earlier this year. But two objections were subsequently lodged with An Bord Pleanála pushing a final decision back to October 5. Even if the outcome is positive for the GAA, Croke Park bosses will have insufficient time to install the lighting structure in time for the international clash.
The objections were lodged by both the Croke Park Residents Alliance and Iona District Residents Association. Part of their concern was that the floodlights could have a negative impact on locals as far away as Glasnevin cemetery, almost three miles from the stadium. These objections have greatly angered the GAA, who were looking forward to an historic grandstand international rules finale under lights.
But chairman of the Croke Park Residents Alliance, Pat Gates, says his group's concerns are entirely legitimate. "We are not anti-GAA or anti-Croke Park," he stated. "The staging of the international rules and concerts at night will worsen the disruption to our lives. The floodlights are an unknown quantity, but we have concerns that people two or three miles away would be affected by light pollution and also noise pollution and traffic. That's why we raised our objection; we are hoping that An Bord Pleanála will examine the impact these lights will have. These are real issues."
However, the GAA were astounded to see that one objection quoted the UN Charter of Human Rights as back-up for their protestations. And Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna says it's unthinkable that residents up to three miles away could object to floodlights when there are similar systems in operation all over the city. "Everyone has the right to object," McKenna said. "But would any other international sport in the world be affected by such? There would be a massive outcry. These objections are from people who are anti-everything and anti-establishment. They are using the system and their reasons for doing so are unacceptable. They have taken the planning process too far. The referral to the UN Charter of Human Rights shows the histrionics that are involved. Unfortunate people suffering in Bosnia and Darfur are the ones that need this legislation, not those living in Dublin north central. It's just irrational."
The stadium director added that Croker's proposed state of the art lighting system was of the highest quality and would have little or no impact on those in surrounding areas. "And yet there are claims that people from as far away as the other side of the River Tolka would be affected," he revealed. "They would receive far greater disruption from floodlights in Dalymount Park, so it's unusual that we have this problem," he continued. "All over the city, stadiums like the RDS, Shelbourne Park, Lansdowne Road and Donnybrook have installed floodlights without difficulty, we're not asking for anything extra."
But Gates' association, which caters for 12 local bodies, says they will not back down. "We have applied to the Government to get an independent study of the impact of Croke Park on the local community," he said. "There has been a negative impact, but many of our objections so far have been ignored and we're disappointed with local and central government. The GAA has a place in the hearts and minds of this nation, but we need to get some sense of community gain from all the activity in our area."
However, McKenna says his committee enjoys an excellent relationship with most people in the area. "We've tried to be helpful," he insisted. "We removed the proposed bridge linking the Croke Park hotel to the stadium from our plans, built a community centre and recently we issued 40 elderly people in an old folks' home with personal alarms for their comfort and welfare. We get crowds of over 80,000 regularly and deal with them very well; people flow in and out whereas in contrast, there was bedlam around the K Club with all the motorways clogged up with smaller crowds."
If the planning process goes in favour of the GAA, Dublin's opening fixture of the 2007 National Football League will be the first game to be played under floodlights at HQ. And Kerry will be their opponents for this historic clash on February 3, guaranteeing a massive attendance which would make up for the disappointment of losing the international rules fixture.
Albert White MSc FRAS
Chairperson, International Dark Sky Association - Irish Section
www.darksky.ie/
