Residents fear for safety after gate between housing estates is destroyed
The gate between the Willow Park and Carrigbrook estates in Carlow after it was rammed by an SUV last week Photos: Michael O'Rourke Photography 2025
RESIDENTS of a housing estate in Carlow town say they are living in fear following the destruction of a steel gate that once separated their housing estate from a neighbouring estate.
The gate between the Willow Park and Carrigbrook estates, which was reportedly installed as an emergency access point, has become the focal point of escalating tensions, speeding traffic and concerns over public safety, particularly for children.
Last Monday, the gate was violently rammed by a black SUV with yellow number plates, according to an anonymous email signed by ‘Residents of Willow Park’. According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle reversed into the gate twice at full speed, damaging the gate to the extent that it was unusable. A man, believed to be acting as a lookout, stood nearby with a child as the incident took place. The event followed earlier attempts that day to force open the gate, along with reported threats and a small fire set near a resident’s home, with flames reaching an electrical box.
The destroyed gate has since been entirely removed.
On Sunday 3 August, individuals returned with an angle grinder and cut the remaining steel structure off its hinges, according to a local who spoke to but didn’t want their name used. One person on an electric scrambler reportedly videoed the incident while saying to the camera: “You wanted your f**king gate, here’s your f**king gate, now.”
The anonymous Willow Park resident explained that the gate was originally installed during the estate’s construction as part of its emergency planning, allowing emergency services access if the main road were blocked. The steel gate was initially locked with a bolt that had been welded over, and after construction two concrete barriers were placed in front of it. These were gradually removed, enabling unauthorised vehicle access.
Once opened, the passageway became a through-road for scrambler bikes, cars, and other vehicles. Willow Park residents report vehicles travelling at high speed over gravel, stirring up dust and noise, and posing serious risks to pedestrians.
One resident expressed grave concern over electric scramblers, which, due to their low noise levels, are difficult to hear approaching. “You can barely hear anything, and they could already be around the corner,” they said, adding that the scramblers could collide with other vehicles or cause an accident.
The resident added: “I have a huge problem with the speed. It’s so dangerous. There’s a green area where kids are usually out playing soccer.”
Residents now avoid letting their children play anywhere near the site of the gate. “Someone’s going to be killed,” the same source said, echoing the growing sense of alarm shared by others in the local community.
Carlow County Council confirmed to that the land where the gate stood is registered to the original developer of Willow Park, and that the estate is now under the charge of the council. The original gate, the council said, was installed to facilitate access to a foul water pumping station on the site.
The developer, who later built the neighbouring Carrigbrook estate, replaced the gate. According to the council, planning permission for Carrigbrook was granted by An Bord Pleanála, with the access point through Willow Park included as the main entrance in that application.
The council acknowledged receiving multiple complaints about the recent incidents and confirmed that the situation is under review, with ‘all options with regards to the access under consideration’.
When asked if the remains of the damaged gate would be secured or removed, the council replied: ‘Carlow County Council is aware of the recent damage to the gate and is considering all options available.’ Residents say they have contacted An Garda Síochána on multiple occasions about illegal traffic, antisocial behaviour and threats.
An anonymous email to described a pattern in which vehicles scatter when garda patrol cars arrive, only to resume using the illegal shortcut once the patrols leave.
An Garda Síochána confirmed to this newspaper that there was a callout to Willow Park on 29 July “around nine, half nine”, in line with resident reports of a patrol that evening. However, the residents’ email called for unmarked patrols to be used, arguing that the presence of marked cars may inadvertently be alerting those using the shortcut illegally.
Willow Park residents expressed admiration for officers who had recently increased their presence, noting a temporary 50% drop in traffic through the area.
People Before Profit councillor Adrienne Wallace has been in contact with Willow Park residents and, according to the anonymous source who spoke to this newspaper, “she says that they’re going to try and look at retractable bollards for the emergency services”. Cllr Wallace told that she had also previously raised the issue of the destroyed concrete barriers at a recent Carlow Municipal District meeting.
Residents have also credited local TD Catherine Callaghan for her support. Ms Callaghan confirmed to this newspaper that she had contacted both the gardaí and the county council about the residents’ concerns.
