SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY Council (SDCC) has confirmed that three disabled parking spaces at Tallaght Stadium are “always” closed on match days after concern was raised over other vehicles using them at recent games.
On matchdays, the venue — which is a municipal stadium with 21 disabled parking bays – has sectioned off three spaces near the entrance since its completion in 2009, with the remainder open for use by those with the appropriate permit.
Concern over the use of the spaces (above) on matchday was raised on social media recently with one user suggesting they had even been forced to miss a game at the venue because they couldn’t access them.
However, a spokesperson for SDCC told The42 the stadium has always operated in this manner.
“The operational arrangements are such that fans access the venue at the Whitestown Way end of the stadium on foot.
“This facilitates fans coming from the LUAS direction so we generally keep this area completely free to allow circulation of pedestrians and to keep them from the parking area.
“On normal days like today, this area is open and there are designated spots there but it’s cordoned off on matchdays as a matter of routine. This leaves 18 designated disabled parking spots.”
“Those three spots, however, have never been available on matchdays.”
The spokesperson went on to confirm that, when necessary, the spaces are used by other vehicles including those of medical personnel, visiting teams and dignitaries such as Michael D. Higgins when he attends games at the stadium.
