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File. Tommy Dickson/INPHO

GAA club asks members not to get involved in political campaigns to save its home from Metrolink route

“Any campaign currently ongoing using the Na Fianna logo is not doing so at the request or on behalf of Na Fianna.”

A DUBLIN GAA club which faces losing its pitches for six years due to Metrolink works has asked its members not to get involved in political campaigns.

The route for the €3 billion rail system was unveiled last week which showed that Na Fianna and Home Farm FC’s pitches on Mobhi Road in Glasnevin are set to be both the site of a new underground station on the route and a “tunnel boring depot” – used as a storage facility for equipment.

The announcement led to establishment of a number of petitions and campaigns to save the grounds, but in a statement, the club has asked members not to make these political.

“Members are advised that there are a number of unsolicited campaigns currently ongoing purporting to be on behalf of Na Fianna. None of these are official Na Fianna initiatives despite the fact that the club logo features prominently in one particular campaign. Use of the Na Fianna logo for any promotional or informational purpose can only be sanctioned by the Club Executive Committee and this permission has not been given to any third party at this time.

“In short, any campaign currently ongoing, online or otherwise, using the Na Fianna logo is not doing so at the request or on behalf of Na Fianna.

“At a time when we need to demonstrate strength in unity we ask all members to refrain from engagement with any unofficial campaigns or attending any public meeting arranged by third parties.”

The club says that the plan will mean it will:

  • Lose the use of the main Mobhi Road road pitch for a minimum of three years and potentially for six or more years
  • Lose both all-weather pitches for the same time
  • And lose “significant” revenue from clubhouse activities

Fine Gael TD Noel Rock, whose campaign uses the club’s logo, says that he established it quickly but will now comply with the wishes of the club. He added that he has urged the Oireachtas Transport Committee to invite Na Fianna and Home Farm to give a presentation.

He says the campaign will “evolve” and he will continue to work with the club if needed.

“I think I acted proportionately and correctly, but am happy to have the club pursue this whatever way they see fit. They have a meeting (tomorrow) night and after that, if they want help, I will be there.

“We need all strands working for this to reach a fair conclusion. This can be avoided – we all know that sacrifices have to be made, but this is one that doesn’t have to be made.”

PastedImage-387 The map shows in yellow where the underground stop is planned - right below the playing fields. NTA NTA

Rock says that local reaction to the plan has been generally warm, but that enthusiasm has been “dampened somewhat” by the realisation that the pitches would be affected.

At last week’s launch of the proposed route, Aidan Foley of Transport Infrastructure Ireland said that the disruption would be temporary and playing pitches would be “returned to an immaculate position” after the works.

Anne Graham of the NTA told TheJournal.ie that disruption was unavoidable.

“There obviously has to be some disruption when you’re building a project of this size. There is disruption particularly around the stations and where you’re launching the tunnel boring machines.

“We want to minimise that and Metrolink is designed to do that. I understand the concerns people have and would encourage them to engage with TII.”

The Metrolink plan would commence construction in 2020 and be completed by 2027.

Read: The ‘Metro North’ is now the MetroLink – here’s what it’ll look like

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31 Comments
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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Mar 28th 2018, 6:39 AM

    Only in ireland would this be allowed happen. Whatever hsppened to consultation BEFORE any plans are announced. Lots of politicians have gone missing , again. Would it happen to a private school grounds or hockey grounds ?

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    Mute Evan Cunningham
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:53 AM

    @Chris Tobin: What difference does it make Chris, they have 3 years before construction starts to figure out a contingency plan. This is why we now have a public consultation phase, so people can air their concerns and ask questions.

    83
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    Mute Ciaran O'Mara
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    Mar 28th 2018, 9:56 AM

    @Evan Cunningham: You can’t build big infrastructure for the benefit of the whole city and country without having some local impact. Na Fianna will correctly get massive compensation and alternative facilities for the duration of the project. But they are not “victims”.
    You don’t hear anything now from people in Marino about the Port Tunnel being built in the 2000s.

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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Mar 28th 2018, 5:23 PM

    @Chris Tobin:
    Your man Rock “The Leech” is at it again.

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    Mute Dessie Deratta
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    Mar 28th 2018, 7:30 AM

    Can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg.

    Dublin needs a metro more than it needs these pitches in use for a few years.

    Already we have nimbys whining at the Southern portal of the proposed Metro….we need a Government to bulldoze this project to completion.
    Excuse the pun – take no prisoners.

    184
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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 28th 2018, 7:50 AM

    @Dessie Deratta: The DCU pitches, less than 1km up the road could be used by Na Fianna for the duration. Not ideal, but an option.

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Mar 28th 2018, 7:55 AM

    @Reg: and what about the schools either side of the pitches? Not to mention the English/Irish preschool based in Na Fianna?

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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 28th 2018, 7:58 AM

    @Ian Breathnach: As far as I know the club building and one of the pitches are remaining. I presume access will still be available to these and the schools.

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:06 AM

    @Reg: access yes but is it practical having children as young as 3 entering effectively a building site for preschool and children from 5 up traversing heavy construction traffic on an already busy road/pathway. These two schools have a large number of kids cycling/walking/scooting and I for one believe it’s a serious accident waiting to happen. Not to mention the classroom disruption on a daily basis or should they all use DCU?

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    Mute Ciara Baines
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:13 AM

    @Reg: Have you any idea how big a club Na Fianna is and how many teams they have to support? DCU pitches are busy enough as it is and would struggle to manage the requirements Na Fianna would have for use of their pitches. Definitely not ideal.

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    Mute joe
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    Mar 28th 2018, 10:15 AM

    @Ian Breathnach: Oh lets build nothing so because of the kids! People use kids a human shields in these cases. Just look after your kids they’ll be fine! A bit of personal responsibility for your kids and they’ll be fine!

    38
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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Mar 28th 2018, 12:36 PM

    @Ciara Baines: might not be ‘ideal’ but it’s extremely rare that projects of this size at construction phase are ‘ideal ‘

    The real question, is it an effective compromise? A few years of pain to get major infrastructure constructed, improving accessibility for the locals, the club and the schools.

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    Mute Lynne Tunney
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    Mar 28th 2018, 6:54 AM

    I don’t really have an opinion on the pitches issue. My issue is safety related. I do however think that Mobhi Road is too narrow to have trucks going up and down it for 3-6 years removing the spoil from the excavation works. The Ballymun Road has green spaces and a much wider road. Also there is space at both sides of the Ballymun M50 roundabout that would be suitable too, but in their wisdom, TII decides to plonk this tunnel boring depot slap bang in a highly residential area.

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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:31 AM

    @Lynne Tunney: They just built Crossrail underground in London,massive stations as well in one of the most densely populated cities in the world

    55
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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:00 AM

    I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this is all a cleverly orchestrated ploy by the TII.
    Go after Na Fianna, wait for the public outcry, then suggest an alternative that they really wanted and knew could not get straight off the plans and give the impression of a compromise everyone is happy or maybe life has made me cynical.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Mar 28th 2018, 9:05 AM

    @Ian Breathnach:
    Ha ha there was more than you thinking it.

    11
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    Mute Rob Hill
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:45 AM

    But look, surely we’re all in agreement that Dublin needs a Metro link out to the airport, right?

    To do that, certain things have to be sacrificed. If it’s not this pitch, it’ll be somewhere else.

    So for the people saying this is a no-go, where do you propose the tunnel and station are built?

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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Mar 28th 2018, 10:57 AM

    @Rob Hill: It’s not really being sacrificed ,it will be restored when work is finished,and no doubt the club will be looking for a big ,dig out,sorry about the pun,but Bertie was the local rep,couldn’t resist

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    Mute nelly
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    Mar 28th 2018, 7:02 AM

    The save the naff campaign is interfering with the clubs negotiating stance with metro. Also they don’t own the ground, the dept of defence do and they have a 99 year lease on it.
    I don’t see it been built there as the environs of the area is completely unsuitable for a station. The bons hospital, or the archbishop Palace or St pats teachers college would all offer other locations for a building base for machines and a local station for the area.
    This has a long way to go but it’s a case of utter incompetents by the Government and metro

    36
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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:01 AM

    @nelly: St Pats and Bishop’s Palace are too far away from the new route. Would have thought that Albert College Park was an option though.

    14
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Mar 28th 2018, 8:24 AM

    @nelly: You being an expert on underground construction ,right

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    Mute nelly
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    Mar 28th 2018, 9:23 AM

    @Robert Harris: yes I am actually but you just presuming different I guess

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    Mute nelly
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    Mar 28th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @Reg: Albert college stop would be less than 100 metres from the Collins Ave stop. Which is not on Collins Ave at all and is next to DCU Ballymun Road entrance. The rerouting would not be an issue as its underground. The building site base is madness putting it on mobai Road to narrow, downhill slope to a river for pollution spill and next to 3 schools from the 60s with no sound proofing

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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Mar 28th 2018, 10:52 AM

    @nelly: The Metro north has to go under the Tolka river anyway ,no matter which route they use,the Victorians tunnelled under the Thames ,the first tunnel was in1825,that’s what engineers do ,there is a tunnel under the English channel, no leaks ,amazing

    8
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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Mar 28th 2018, 12:40 PM

    @nelly: of course re-routing underground can be an issue. Different soil and rock densities on different routes, integrated transport requirements requiring metro stations in some fixed locations, differing surface contours and topology dictating tunnel depth and construction methods.

    Your statement on re-routing proves you are far from an expert on such underground tunnel projects.

    7
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    Mute nelly
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    Mar 28th 2018, 2:00 PM

    @Vocal Outrage: the soil and rock as you put it is of the same consistency for most of the northern route of the Metro until swords, as for the topography (I believe you mean) above ground is only a problem for the the siting of a building compound and traffic management. It also plays an issue in regards to pollution. A site like this with a hill run off to a river is not suitable.

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    Mute joe
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    Mar 28th 2018, 10:11 AM

    knock the local residents houses down instead if they are unhappy with temporarily losing their pitches. Seems like the pitches being torn up and then re-instated is the lesser of two evils.
    If they’re not happy just CPO the lot and put it straight through. Local crap like this is the reason infrastructure projects take forever in Ireland!

    22
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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Mar 28th 2018, 12:19 PM

    It’s a decision between digging up pitches or digging up homes to do this work, I’m looking at the map which shows a lot of residential properties around the proposed site, I think loosing the pitches for a few years is the better option

    9
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    Mute John Tanner
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    Mar 28th 2018, 1:49 PM

    Don’t Na Fianna have pitches up by the airport? Surely using these and DCUs during the summer will compensate for the availability of their main pitches? Similarly is it only one Home Farm pitch that is being displaced? There is always an alternative but alot of the time people can be short sighted

    3
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    Mute John J. Smith
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    Mar 28th 2018, 12:39 PM

    Will we live long enough to see it happening. Remember folks it is just a plam!

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    Mute tubbsyfingal
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    Mar 28th 2018, 9:36 AM

    Its the Grab All Association up to their usual tricks

    1
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