Herzog Park renaming halted as Dublin City Council admits it 'failed miserably'
The vote to change the name of Herzog Park did not take place and was removed from the agenda of the latest Dublin City Council meeting .
Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam explained the proposal should be removed because it was “not legally sound” as the proper legislation for changing place names was not currently in place. His proposition was accepted with a tally of 35 in favour, 25 against, and one abstention.
The renaming of Herzog Park will now be referred to the next meeting of the Commemorating and Naming Committee on December 15. This is an issue that has garnered significant international controversy in recent days. The Rathgar park was named after Belfast-born Chaim Herzog in 1995, the President of Israel from 1983 to 1993.
In a statement prior to Monday’s council meeting, Taoiseach Micheal Martin encouraged the Council to withdraw the renaming proposal. This move led to the Independent Group putting forward an emergency motion condemning his interference in the democratic process and rejecting any accusation of antisemitism.
“The proposal would erase the distinctive and rich contribution to Irish life of the Jewish communities over many decades, including active participation in the Irish War of Independence and the emerging State. The proposal is a denial of our history and will without any doubt be seen as antisemitic,” Mr Martin stated.
"It is overtly divisive and wrong. Our Irish Jewish communities’ contribution to our country’s evolution in its many forms should always be cherished and generously acknowledged. This motion must be withdrawn, and I ask all on Dublin City Council to seriously reflect on the implications of this move."
The Independent Group, including Cllr Cieran Perry and Cllr Nial Ring, described the Taoiseach’s intervention as “serious and alarming overreach” as placename changes are “reserved function for the elected members of the Council.” “We cannot and will not allow the head of government to dictate the outcome of a legitimate, democratic debate on this internal matter,” Cllr Perry stated
Lord Mayor McAdam said he was “frustrated” that the council had found themselves in this position and he believes that the two renaming items should have never been on the agenda until they were legal. Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare took full responsibility for the error which he described as a “systemic failure” and that council has “failed miserably” in this instance.
The renaming of Diamond Park in the North Inner City as The Terence Wheelock Memorial Diamond was also removed from the agenda due to these legal complications. This renaming represented the culmination of a two-decade campaign by the Wheelock family to honour the 20-year-old man who died as a result of injuries sustained at Store Street Garda Station on 2 June 2005.
Several councillors condemned the way that honouring Terence Wheelock’s memory was overshadowed by this international controversy and said the council-owed the family an apology. During the meeting Lord Mayor McAdam wished to issue a statement directly to Wheelock family, where he said: “I want to sincerely apologise for the hurt this has caused.”
“The legal advice given to me means we are not in position to lawfully decide on the proposal. This is a failure on our part as a City Council. I am genuinely sorry and I want to reassure you that this decision is not a reflection on your family or the merits of your campaign,” he said.
The controversial proposal to rename Herzog Park divided the Council with some stating it is not appropriate to pick and choose which divisive placenames should be retroactively changed, while others argued there are many more appropriate Jewish people with Irish connections the park could be named after.
Social Democrats Cllr Cat O’Driscoll expressed her disappointment about the lack of engagement with the Jewish community regarding this placename change. She said that councillors had been put “in a state of whiplash” in recent days as this controversy broke out.
Any renaming decisions should only come after “intentional deliberation” according to Green Party Cllr Janet Horner. She said there are many areas across the city named after controversial figures and to single one out while ignoring others is “not acceptable.”
Fianna Fail Cllr Rory Hogan said he visited Rathgar over the weekend to hear people’s views directly and that the most common concern was “the lack of consultation.” He said the community only heard about this decision “at the 11th hour.” With very few areas in Dublin honouring Jewish communities, he also stressed the importance of memorialising “all those who have lost their lives in Gaza.”
People Before Profit Cllr Hazel De Nortuin commented on the importance of addressing the renaming legislation issue at the centre of this controversy and that they must ensure this is something that is not “held over them in the future.”
Both the renaming of Herzog Park and Diamond Park are set to be referred to the next meeting of the Commemorating and Naming Committee. This will take place on December 15.
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