Gormley welcomes confirmation of Dartmouth Square CPO
Green Party Chairman and Dublin South East TD John Gormley has welcomed An Bord Pleanála’s decision today to confirm Dublin City Council’s compulsory purchase of Dartmouth Square.
Deputy Gormley said: “When the park was first closed by Noel O’Gara in January, I called on Dublin City Council to do everything in its power to re-open the square as a public park, including acquiring it under a Compulsory Purchase Order if necessary.”
“I am delighted to learn that An Bord Pleanála has now confirmed that the CPO is necessary to satisfy a community need, and that Mr O’Gara’s objection to the order cannot be sustained.”
“Mr O’Gara has tried to portray himself through the media as a harassed landowner holding out against the residents of the square who wish to keep the park for their own exclusive use. However, as I asserted in my submission to An Bord Pleanála, this park is an amenity for all residents in the area. Dublin South East has less public open space per capita than any other area of Dublin, and it would be unacceptable to see another park close to the public.”
“The compensation which Dublin City Council will have to pay Mr O’Gara has yet to be decided, but I hope that this process can be completed speedily so that the park can re-open without further delay.”