Kinnegad’s new park ‘victim of its own success’

Kinnegad’s new town park “is a victim of its own success”, Cllr Denis Leonard told officials at the December meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad as he sought an access gate from the town car park through to the new park, and CCTV.

He told officials people were coming from a large hinterland to visit the park – and at weekends, many park in the spaces normally used by commuters, so an access gate from there would be useful.

But, there was also a need for “some form of CCTV”, which he believed would nip in the bud any danger of anti-social behaviour. CCTV would also be useful for motorists who have discovered damage to cars, because it is a tight space.

“A good few people have contacted me because they've lost wing mirrors. One woman has had to replace the side of her car twice, because she came back in the evening on the bus and found her car damaged.”

Cllr David Jones supported Cllr Leonard’s motion, particularly the request that CCTV be installed.

The official written response to Cllr Leonard stated that works at the town park are ongoing; railings are to be installed along the front boundary wall, a footpath connection between the park and the car park is to be completed.

“These works are scheduled to be completed in Q1 2026,” the response concluded.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly explained that as part of the planning process, the council had permission to put an entrance into the car park. The question of CCTV was, however, she said, “a complex issue” and it might not be straightforward to have CCTV pointing into the into the car park or into the into the park.

“CCTV for litter management is within our rights, but I just need to get some clarity in relation to CCTV for issues of anti-social behaviour,” she said.

Cllr Leonard asked about CCTV in Mullingar Town Park, and Ms Reilly confirmed that there is, but it is under the control of An Garda Síochána.