Four decades in existence and still going strong, the AGM of Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association had a splendid turnout despite deplorable weather on the night of 13th November 2003. Around two hundred people packed in to the hall of Lakelands’ Scoil Mhuire.

Honorary Secretary, Catherine Cavendish read the Minutes of 2002 AGM, and with the usual formalities completed the minutes were adopted.

The Meeting was chaired by Des Flynn, who gave a brief report of the work done by the association during the previous year, which included dealing with Planning applications, meetings with officials of Dublin City Council (DCC) and taking part with the Combined Residents Against Incineration (CRAI).

Sandymount, he said, was blessed with amenities, graceful buildings and facades and there was a problem trying to maintain it and prevent litter, pollution and flooding. He went on to thank his fellow committee members, and the members and residents who had assisted in the work of SAMRA through the year.

Lorna Kelly, planning officer of SAMRA, said the year had been very busy and she had to deal with a number of controversial planning applications including applications for the demolition of 2 shops in Sandymount village.

Permission has now been granted for the demolition of The Red Spot and Jack McClean’s premises. An appeal to stop the demolition of no 6 Sandymount Green had been granted as this area is zoned residential and not commercial.

An objection had also been lodged against further development at Merrion Hall, permission was granted but only for a substantially smaller development. It was similar to the result of the Caritas development decision, which is subject to 14 conditions, among which was a need for the applicants to deal with drainage. The lands contain a mediaeval site and the walls of the Pale pass through it. Catherine also gave an update on the proposed incinerator and other issues on the Poolbeg.

She told the meeting that the ESB wished to erect a plinth on the promenade at Sandymount, in the area of the first car park near Gilford Road. This plinth will take the form of a direction map pointing out things of interest in the bay. The ESB were planning this to mark the centenary anniversary of production of electricity in the area.

The treasurer’s report was delivered by Anne Jordan who was standing in for Treasurer Liam Handy and which showed the organisation to be in a healthy financial position. Like all similar organisations they could benefit from more paid-up membership as the costs are ever-increasing and planning objections are very costly.

A number of people spoke from the floor. Issues raised included the ongoing threat of flooding caused by climate change and blocked drains and gullies. Dirty streets, the stench from the new water treatment plant, dog fouling of pavements, the proposals for the old baths, inappropriate planning permission and the proposed Incinerator.

Cllr Dermot Lacey, Labour, said that there are laws to deal with litter and dog fouling and there is a need to see these enforced.

On the issue of the old baths, he said “given the local reaction to any development on the site of the former baths it is highly unlikely that any development at all will take place on this site.”
A number of local people as well as local Councillors Andrews, Wheeler and Lacey, and representatives of various political parties spoke on the Incinerator issue and all were opposed to this development.

The Secretary of CRAI, Frances Corr, stated that the residents associations of Ringsend, Irishtown, Bath Ave, Shelbourne Park, Ocean View, Sandymount and Merrion, were working together to stop this proposal. If all these associations could work together, then why could the various political representatives in the area, who have given a commitment to supporting CRAI, not work together on this particular issue, instead of sniping at each other.

Minister Michael Mc Dowell TD and John Gormley TD both of whom are opposed to the proposed incinerator had a lively and interesting debate on this matter.

The government’s forthcoming bill to fast-track major infrastructure projects was also discussed.
The meeting was a huge success, interesting, lively and informative and shows that after 40 years SAMRA is as vibrant, and committed to maintaining those aspects of community life they feel are worth fighting for.

The following were elected to form the incoming committee: Des Flynn, Lorna Kelly, Catherine Cavendish, Kieran Best, Joan McArthur, Tom Ponsonby, Cathal Stanley, Geraldine Foster, Cathal Mallon, Hilary Muruane, Liam Handy, Malachy Ryan.