John O'Neill Supports McKelvey Residents:

Press Release: 04/April/2007:

John O Neill, socialist general election candidate for Dublin North West, has expressed his support for the action taken by residents of the Mc Kelvey Estate, Finglas, over the last two weeks in protest at the increase in traffic congestion caused by over-development around their estate.

Commenting on the residents' action of blocking St. Margarets’ Road, John stated: ‘This is a prime example of people power. For too long the residents of Mc Kelvey Estate have been ignored by the local authorities and developers. The opening of two supermarkets and a number of new housing developments off St. Margarets’ Road over the last few years has made life intolerable for residents, causing massive traffic congestion leading to both air and noise pollution, danger for people crossing the road. During rush hour the residents are virtual prisoners in their estate, unable to enter or exit because of the gridlock on the main road. The situation is set to deteriorate with the coming on stream of further developments north of the estate.’

‘This problem has arisen because of a lack of real consultation by Dublin City Council and developers with the residents, giving rise to rapid development in the area regardless of residents wishes. The difficulty has been compounded by the fact that the estate lies just inside the Dublin City boundary so that many of the developments exacerbating the traffic situation are situated in the Fingal County Council area, where Mc Kelvey residents have no say or influence.’

John commended the residents for taking direct action to highlight their plight following mass meetings in the estate: ‘In my view this is real democracy. Rather than relying on politicians or council officials, following an open discussion and democratic decision, the residents took action themselves. I fully support their action because this is the only way that the City Council will be forced to put the interests of residents before those of wealthy developers’.

[For further information contact John O Neill at: 087-6367175]