by Gareth Cross
Concerns have been raised about the parking situation for Derry GAA games at Celtic Park following Derry's games with Tyrone last weekend.
More than 10,000 people descended on the Brandywell area for the game on Sunday and parking around the ground was limited.
Derry minors defeated Tyrone before Derry's senior team suffered a heavy defeat to their Tyrone counterparts.
However, a local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted the Derry News this week to express his concerns about parking in the area during Sunday’s games.
The resident said that cars were parked on both sides of the road forcing people to take risks by walking on the main road.
"They were parked on both sides of the road all the way out to the Braehead Road. Parents with youngsters were forced to walk on the main road.
"This is an ongoing issue for residents, the GAA have no consideration for the people of this area."
The resident said that when he tried to go his usual route to visit his daughter people stood in front of his car and tried to send him inconvenient routes.
"I live in Eastway and was going out to visit my daughter and I had people continually stepping in front of my vehicle and trying to send me in different directions when they had no authority to do so.
"We don't have the same issues during soccer games. These people come from outside Derry and take over the whole area.
"Anytime there is a big game at Celtic Park we have the same situation. There should be signs up and attendants or police should monitor the area and offending vehicles should be clamped.
"There was rubbish left lying all over the area following the game. It was a total disgrace.”
The resident also raised the issue of the Lone Moor Road city cemetery gates being locked during the games.
"The cemetery gates were locked and there are elderly people who attend the cemetery every Sunday to visit relatives graves. It's not on.”
A spokesperson for Ulster GAA said a traffic and parking plan was in place for the game but that they would look in to the matter.
"The Ulster GAA, Derry County Committee, working in association with the Derry and Strabane District Council and the Safety Advisory Group held a number of pre event meetings preparing for Sunday's games.
"A traffic and parking plan was agreed and implemented on the day. No streets or roads were closed nor any other planned diversions put in place as part of the event day plan.
"The Ulster GAA had in excess of 20 external security staff outside the venue and received no reports of any issues or complaints on the day.
"Further to this report from Derry News the Ulster GAA will look in to the matter as part of our post event briefings with stakeholders."
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that the cemetery was closed to prevent people parking there.
"Following a number of parking-related incidents at the City Cemetery previously on popular match days, a decision was made to close the lower cemetery gates along Lone Moor Road for a period of time on Sunday to prevent match goers parking and causing any disruption to cemetery users.
"The Iniscarn Crescent entry gate to the cemetery remained open to ensure user access.
"At present Transport NI have sole responsibility for public roads, footpaths, bridges and street lights within Northern Ireland and manage any closures of public roads."
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.
