New support group for Cherry Orchard transformative for community safety– Seery Kearney

The formation of a new group to coordinate supports for the Cherry Orchard Community will prove transformative for community safety, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Dublin South Central Senator, Mary Seery-Kearney, spoke following her attendance at the announcement of the Cherry Orchard Implementation Board this morning.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee outlined the group’s similarity to the Drogheda Implementation Board which crucially progresses projects and improves safety and wellbeing.

Senator Seery-Kearney said, “Cherry Orchard is its own distinct community, with its own culture and centre – it is a community without a village centre, services and infrastructure.

“It is often said they have two prisons and only one shop in Cherry Orchard, and even the shop is a converted house. Yet throughout the community, there are groups and organisations doing the most exceptional work.

“This Implementation Board will bring a visibility and focus to coordinate the work being carried out in Cherry Orchard which will amplify and support the asks for the area. This community is tight knit and just needs the infrastructure to give it a town centre to make it a really great place to live.

“We did not need another plan, a plan has been developed by the organisations in consultation with the community. We needed the Implementation Board which will not bring these fantastic plans to fruition.

“I have had the honour of getting to know the people in the area and seeing first-hand the work they are doing. It is our priority in government to ensure that communities like Cherry Orchard are strong, safe and supported communities,” concluded Senator Seery-Kearney.