Families in north Dublin say two green areas where Republic of Ireland footballer Matt Doherty played in Swords are being sacrificed to make way for the MetroLink.
"This is where he started off," Barry Arthur, a resident of Estuary Court, said in a submission to An Bord Pleanála, referencing the greens on an image displayed for inspectors.
"He [Matt Doherty] has been a true inspiration for these lads [local children] here. He also used to play on this green."
Mr Doherty, a Premier League footballer, has captained the Irish football team and is currently with English club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The oral hearings into the MetroLink project were told that under Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) plans, a north and south green, used by children living in Estuary Court, Seatown Villas and the Ashley Estate are being taken over by TII for "speed and convenience" to build the system for a period of up to six years.
Mr Arthur, a father of three young boys, told inspectors that Estuary Estate residents are in favour of the MetroLink and the benefits it will bring to the area.
Green areas 'vital, safe and secure'
However, he said the estate has lots of young couples who are raising families and said the green spaces are vital, safe and secure areas that contribute to their children’s development.
"Lots of other kids have come through here and played on the green," he said.
Mr Arthur said some children who used the greens for practice over the years have gone on to play for local clubs Fingallians GAA club, Swords Celtic and Swords Manor.
"Some of the kids have gone on to play for Shelbourne, Drogheda United, and there’s young Gemma Connolly who is on the minor camogie team," he said.
Barry Arthurs, who is a quantity surveyor, asked TII officials to explain why they needed to "occupy both our greens?"
James Maloney, Construction Adviser for TII, said both greens were needed "to finish the works as fast as we can".
Mr Maloney said the north green was needed to access the south green, where staff offices would be located, as well as an area where staff can sit and have lunch as well as housing toilet facilities for staff.
He said any other location would not be convenient to the works and ultimately meant the MetroLink would be built "in the shortest time possible".
Mr Arthur asked if Estuary Court was taking the "extra burden" as other areas such as Seatown, were just as close to the alignment of the rail line on Estuary Court.
Noel Murphy, another resident of Estuary Court, said turning the greens into what amounts to a TII site office with portacabins, when there are other sites available nearby felt like a "landgrab" on the part of TII.
"We are putting up with an awful lot. It feels like we’re being given the two fingers," Mr Murphy said.
Mr Arthurs put forward his own "practical and viable" alternative design plan to An Bord Pleanála. He claimed his design would simply straighten the proposed TII route, realigning it to the west side of the existing R132.
"Your Seatown station is still staying as it is. The only difference is we are straightening the route," also allowing for a precast [concrete tunnel] that "will save TII time and money".
Mr Arthurs argued that both greens are "an inherent part of our estate and crucial for our kids development. We cannot live without a green space for our kids for five years," Mr Arthurs said.
Asking for "meaningful collaboration" between TII and Fingal County Council, he also requested An Bord Pleanála consider "our realigned option, which residents believe is lower cost, quicker, safer, greener and a win-win for all the parties".
Developmental impacts
Denis O’Callaghan, who has lived in Estuary Court since it was built in the 1990s, told an Bord Pleanála there could be serious developmental impacts for local children if their green spaces were taken away.
"As an educationalist with Maynooth University we have studies as to the damage that was done to children as a result of Covid and how difficult it is becoming to integrate them back into schools now and give them the independence," Mr O’Callaghan said.
"Our children in Estuary Court, a generation will lose out," he warned inspectors.
Mr O’Callaghan believed the children would be set back again at a time when they are being taken out onto the green, integrated into sport and recreation "as opposed to being on their laptops".
"For the sake of the children and for the sake of their development, it is most important that the small little green space that they have is kept intact for them," Mr O’Callaghan said in his submission.
Aidan Foley, Project Director for TII said the body has in fact engaged in "extensive consultations" with Fingal County Council regarding the section of the proposed MetroLink on the R132 and Estuary Court estate. Mr Foley said the project would be "beneficial to Swords and the local community" and the TII plans are fully integrated with Fingal County Council’s R132 connectivity project.
Noel Cowie, an engineer for TII, said Mr Arthurs plans "threw up a lot of concerns".
Mr Cowie argued that the best alignment has been put forward by TII because it meets the design requirements that the body has to follow.
Mr Arthurs ended his submission by asking TII Officials if they were faced with having no green space for five or six years, "what would you choose for your kids?"
Safe access sought to GAA club grounds
Representatives of Fingallians GAA club in Swords say they fear for the health and safety of members during construction of the Metrolink, should An Bord Pleanála grant planning permission for the rail project.
Brendan McGrath, a member of the executive board of the club, told inspectors that Fingallians is one of the largest and oldest GAA clubs in the country.
The club was founded in 1884 and is based at Lawless Memorial Park, in north east Swords. Fingallians has more than 800 members and 300 children, aged between 5 and 8 years old attend the club's nursery every Saturday.
Mr Mc Grath said the club is due to lose both of its full-size pitches because of the Metrolink works and it is seeking the '’provision of alternative facilities’’ by TII.
While Fingallians fully supports the Metro ‘’in principle’,’ the club asked TII to ensure safe access to the club grounds during and after construction works.
The club would prefer if a bridge or tunnel was built to facilitate access in a ‘’safe and tested way’’. It also asked TII to guarantee that the club's Ballyheigue facility is ‘’fitted out as per the clubs request’’.
Aidan Foley, project director TII, said the body ‘’fully recognises the impact on the club in terms of pitches and children who use those pitches’’.
TII said they have been involved in lots of discussions about replacement facilities and pitches. TII said it is currently looking at alternative facilities while construction works get under way.
Asked if TII could commit to the provision of alternative pitches, Mr Foley said there is ‘’real intent on behalf of TII to ensure we get those facilities identified and secured’’.
