Finnstown Abbey Residents Association

03/05/2026

Hi All!
Join us to help shape the future of creative arts and performance for Lucan and venues at Lucan House, 12th Lock and Clonburris. More info below.

Link to survey 👇🏻

https://forms.gle/QWnLrwvq42YhCkJw6

Thank you

27/03/2026

🏊‍♀️ Lucan Leisure Campus Pool Update 🏊‍♂️

I’ve just received the latest update on the Lucan pool and the finish line is now very much in sight! 🙌

The main pool and variable-depth pool have now been filled with final commissioning and certification underway. Importantly, the facility has now been handed over to Aura Leisure who will begin on-site training and final preparations for opening from this evening a really significant milestone 👏

Over the past few weeks and even earlier today I’ve been speaking with many of you asking “when is it opening?”… so it’s great to finally share this positive progress and some photos of the completed pool area 📸

We are now very close to an official opening date being confirmed ⏳

🤞 Hopefully my next update will be the one where I can finally announce the official opening ceremony!

After a long journey I genuinely cannot wait to see this facility open to the public and finally tick this project off the list ✅

Thank you to everyone for your patience and continued interest we’re nearly there! 💙

Regards
Cllr Liona OToole Peace Commissioner

25/02/2026

📣 HGV Restrictions – Public Consultation Open

South Dublin County Council has opened a public consultation on proposed HGV restriction routes for 2026. This is your opportunity to have your say on heavy goods vehicle traffic in our area and the impact on safety and local roads.

🗓 Consultation Timeline:
📌 Open: 12 Feb 2026
📌 Closes: 11 March 2026 (23:59) all submissions must be in by this date.

👉 The proposal being consulted on would extend the current time-based HGV restrictions further towards Adamstown Bridge but it does not introduce a full-time ban. I have been advocating for a full-time HGV ban on the Newcastle Road due to ongoing safety and traffic concerns.

📢 Have your say!
Make your own submission before 11 March 2026 by using the online portal below:
🔗 https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/en/consultation/proposed-hgv-restriction-routes-2026

✍️ Even a short comment helps ensure your voice is heard. If you’d like help framing your submission, just let me know. 👍

Regards,
Cllr Liona OToole Peace Commissioner

Under the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts and having regard to the safety, environmental amenity and efficient operation of the road network, South Dublin County Council proposes to undertake a review of existing Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) restrictions within its administrative area.

23/02/2026

# 📘 Proposed Variation No. 2 — Process Timeline 🚨

🟦 Public Consultation Opened
📅 13 February 2026

⬇️

🟨 Public Drop-In Information Sessions
📍 Tallaght — 25 Feb (2pm–8pm)
📍 Lucan Library — 4 March (2pm–8pm)

⬇️

🟥 Submission Deadline
⏰ 13 March 2026 (Midnight)
📌 No late submissions accepted

⬇️

🟪 Chief Executive’s Report Prepared
📄 Summarises all submissions
📊 Provides planning responses
🧾 Lists submitters

⬇️

🟫 Councillors Review & Decide
They may:
✔ Adopt
✏ Amend
❌ Reject

⬇️

🟧 If Amendments Are Made
📢 Only the amended sections go back out for consultation
✍ Public can comment only on those changes

⬇️

🟩 Final Decision Made

# # 📣 Community Engagement
🤝 I have already met with local groups to discuss the proposed variation and submissions process.
📅 Another meeting will take place Wednesday 25th at 7.30pm in Courtney’s.
📩 Please contact me if you would like further details or to be included.

# # 🔑 Key Message
📌 **If you want your views considered you must submit before 13 Mar 2026

https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/en/consultation/proposed-variation-no-2-south-dublin-county-development-plan-2022-2028

Regards
Cllr Liona OToole Peace Commissioner

10/02/2026

🚌 Temporary Bus Stop in Place – Finstown Abbey

📍 A quick update for passengers using the stop outside Finstown Abbey.

Following ongoing work I’ve been progressing on bus shelters across the Lucan area, I can confirm that a temporary bus stop is now in place at this location. This is to allow works to proceed on the new permanent bus shelter at the original stop. 🏗️

This particular location is one of the longest-running shelter requests I’ve been working on, so it’s great to finally see progress on the ground. ✅

⚠️ Please take note of the temporary stop position while works are underway.

As always, I’ll continue working on these issues until they’re fully completed. If there’s anything in your area that needs to be raised, please do get in touch. 📩

Regards
Cllr Liona OToole Peace Commissioner

10/01/2026

🛴 E-Scooters: Know the Rules Before You Ride 🛴

E-scooters are legally permitted in Ireland, but only when used responsibly and in line with the law. Riders are reminded of the key rules in place to keep everyone safe.

✅ E-scooter users must:
• Be 16 years of age or older.
• Obey a maximum speed limit of 20km/h.
• Travel on the left and use roads, cycle lanes or bus lanes where permitted.
• Ensure the e-scooter is roadworthy at all times.
• Obey traffic lights, road signs, pedestrian crossings, and directions from Gardaí or school wardens.

🔧 Legal e-scooter requirements include:
• Maximum weight of 25kg.
• Maximum motor power of 400W.
• Working front and rear lights.
• Effective brakes.
• A bell or audible warning device.
• CE marking and a manufacturer’s plate.

❌ E-scooter users must NOT:
• Use footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways.
• Carry passengers or goods.
• Ride an e-scooter fitted with a seat.
• Use or hold a mobile phone while riding.
• Use an e-scooter capable of travelling over 20km/h.
• Ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

⚠️ Penalties & enforcement
• Fixed Charge Notices can apply for offences such as speeding, phone use, carrying passengers, or riding a non-roadworthy scooter.
• Drink or drug driving on an e-scooter is a serious offence and can lead to larger fines and further penalties.
• Gardaí may seize e-scooters that are non-compliant or used by underage riders.

ℹ️ Additional information
• No driving licence, tax or insurance is required if the e-scooter is fully compliant with regulations.
• Wearing high-visibility clothing is strongly advised.
• Listening to music or using headphones can reduce awareness and increase risk.
• Always check brakes, tyres, steering and lights before setting off.

E-scooter users are required to follow the same rules of the road as cyclists. Responsible use protects riders, pedestrians, and other road users.

For full guidance, visit the RSA website: https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/special-purpose-vehicles/e-scooters or follow updates from An Garda Síochána.

🚦 Stay visible. Stay alert. Stay safe.

19/12/2025

You need to read this 👇🏻

🚨 Lucan Cannot Be the Pressure Valve for National Housing Targets 🚨
🏘️ Important Planning Update for Lucan Residents 🏘️

Follow-up to my previous post important planning update for Lucan residents

I want to take the opportunity to highlight the significance of the planning proposals currently being put in front of us as local councillors and why I have raised a number of serious concerns on behalf of the Lucan area.

Lucan has already absorbed more large-scale development than any other town in the country. We are unique in having taken two of the largest Strategic Development Zones (SDZs) in Ireland Adamstown and Clonburris. The community accepted this growth in good faith on the understanding that these SDZs would be properly planned delivered in full and supported by infrastructure.

A key principle of SDZ planning is that major developments are balanced by green belts and rural buffers around them. This is not accidental – it is fundamental to sustainable planning. I know this because I have engaged directly with planners on this issue over many years.

What concerns me greatly is that the initial drafts now being discussed involve rezoning rural lands including those green belt areas for residential use. These lands were never intended to be lost to incremental housing development.

At the same time councillors are being asked to consider these major changes within a much shorter timeframe than a normal County Development Plan review, which typically takes two to two-and-a-half years. I have been very clear with the Chief Executive that this feels like panic planning driven by Ministerial pressure and that approach risks long-term damage to our communities and to future generations.

I also queried whether critical infrastructure proposals such as the orbital road connection linking the N7, N4 and N3 could be brought forward as a material alteration. My understanding is that this is not currently possible which only reinforces the imbalance between housing ambition and infrastructure delivery.

Much of what is being presented at this stage is desktop analysis based on modelling, data inputs and transport statistics from national bodies. While that work has its place there is often a huge gap between what looks workable on paper and the lived experience of people on the ground dealing with congestion poor connectivity and incomplete infrastructure every day.

I have already been engaging with local groups and residents over the past number of weeks and I intend to continue those conversations into the new year. These proposals will go to public consultation and I will be encouraging people to:
• take the time to understand what is being proposed,
• study the plans carefully and
• engage with me directly.

I have lived with Adamstown, Clonburris and SDZ planning for nearly 30 years since I bought my home in Lucan. I understand the concept. What I do not accept is rushing to rezone large areas of land for housing when we have not yet even completed the very first SDZ in Ireland to see how successful that model truly is.

Lucan deserves proper planning not short-term fixes. I will continue to advocate strongly for infrastructure-led development not growth at any cost.

Cllr Liona OToole Peace Commissioner

18/12/2025

📍 Public Transport | Adamstown & Kishoge Rail

At this weeks Lucan Area Committee I raised a motion calling for extended-hour and ultimately 24-hour rail services at Adamstown and Kishoge along with increased train capacity.

These stations are some of the very few major transport infrastructures we have in Lucan yet our population is growing rapidly. Capacity and timetables must grow with it especially for healthcare workers, shift workers and essential staff who rely on early-morning and late-night travel.

This motion is part of my ongoing work to push for better public transport across Lucan. It may not come with daily updates but please know this:
👉 I am consistently working in the background, engaging, challenging and campaigning for approvals and investment for our area.

I will keep fighting as hard as I can to make sure Lucan gets the infrastructure it deserves rail, buses and everything in between.

🎥 Watch the council meeting here: (you can select motion 9, or Liona OToole)
👉 https://sdcc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1047961

Regards
Cllr Liona OToole Peace Commissioner

05/12/2025

Check your water is running clear!!!

Homepage of the national water utility, Uisce Éireann. Navigate through the site using the links on this page.

02/12/2025

🎄✨
Christmas Market, Lucan House what a treat! 🛍️💫