As an anti-immigrant encampment dwindles on Basin View, its organisers try to rally
One man who’s been involved has been trying to organise a social event on a nearby council football pitch, something the council says it’s “monitoring”.
"All I ever saw growing up was five a sides; they were everywhere."
The pitch on Long’s Place is owned by CBS James’s Street, which has not responded to queries about why, and how that could be changed.
There hasn’t been a plan since council managers’ proposal for a whitewater-rafting facility there bellyflopped.
A design team is in place to oversee their refurbishment, with a completion date set for March 2026, a council official’s report says.
“If they can maintain a skatepark in Ballyfermot, why can’t they do it in Cabra?” asked Green Party Councillor Feljin Jose, who had proposed the motion.
Councillors say it’ll probably be used for something water-related – and that they haven’t ruled out a lido yet, despite what a council spokesperson said.
An early version of the plan ran a new footpath through a field used for football, but the council has changed course to preserve this informal pitch.
Belvedere FC and East Wall Bessborough FC say they can raise €4 million to build it at Alfie Byrne Park if the council will give them a lease on the land.
Councillors said this would leave a gap in services for this part of the south inner-city. “Irishtown’s gain is Pearse Street’s loss.”
“It’s crazy, with all the struggles that are within the inner city, something should be done,” says Eddie Keogh, chairman of the club.
The council should target funding at deprived areas to redress imbalances – but it’s not, some councillors say.
For many years, the club has called the pitches in the Alfie Byrne Park home. Now it’s asking Dublin City Council for a lease.