Protected historic site in Waterford being used as illegal open-air nightclub
A recent bonfire at Gallowshill, Dungarvan.
All political parties and none were united in their conviction that a historic site in Dungarvan should be blocked off to the public due to anti-social behaviour.
Gallowshill Motte is a large mound that was once an earthen castle or defensive fort. Archaeologists believe it dates back to the twelfth century.
In recent years, large groups have been gathering on the mound, which sits at an intersection between three housing estates in Dungarvan town, and lighting bonfires as well as dumping rubbish.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom Cronin, speaking at the Dungarvan-Lismore District sitting of Waterford City and County Council, said he has raised this issue at meetings alongside other councillors for “going on two years now”. He expressed disappointment that Waterford City and County Council have not acted on this issue.
Cllr Cronin said, “We need to get a grasp of this because it's worse it's getting; someone is going to get burned up there.”
He continued, “The gardaí and the council have to come together and come up with a solution.”
Cllr Cronin suggested closing off the entrance to the archaeologically protected site.
Sinn Féin Councillor Kate O’Mahoney said: “I’m not a historian, but to me it makes absolutely no sense to have an archaeologically protected site that is left to become like a nightclub on a hill.”
She added that it was “not fair” to residents living in the estates that surround the hill.
Environment officer for Waterford City and County Council, Dawn Wallace, said, “That’s an anti-social behaviour issue, not an environment issue. It’s a matter for the gardaí.”
Ms Wallace advised the councillors to liaise with the community safety partnership to resolve the issue.
Fine Gael Councillor Damien Geoghegan was not satisfied with the Council’s response. He said the anti-social behaviour at Gallows Hill has been going on for “nearly a quarter of a century”.
He believes that access to the historic site is “way too easy".
He said that until access is closed to the public, “we will be here discussing the issue next month and next year, and that’s the reality”.
He went on to say that while most people are looking forward to the longer evenings, “people living in estates (are) subject to anti-social behaviour and downright criminality, the problem gets worse in the summer.”
He said that it is “obviously” a garda issue, but also “we have a role to play as well”.
He referenced the fact that many of the houses in the surrounding area of Gallowshill are owned by the Council and suggested that the tenancy management team “need to get a handle on it”.
Independent Councillor Joe O’Riordan also agreed that access should be closed off to the hill. He said residents in the area, “have absolutely no peace of mind".
He went on to say that it is “our tenants who are coming along and messing up Gallows Hill, so we have a responsibility to look at that”.
Ms Wallace told the Council that she met with a conservationist last year and “they are absolutely clear that we can’t block off access to it”.
