Cobblelock Row Escalates As Garda Threat Hangs Over Protesters Outside Celbridge Estate

Wednesday, 20 August 2025 10:33

By Martin Osborne

The dispute centres on the replacement of a cobblelock path with a concrete surface and Kfm understands that a council official has told locals that Gardai will be contacted.

Residents of Killadoon Park Estate in Celbridge have mounted a protest this morning to block Kildare County Council workers from pouring concrete at the entrance to their estate.

The dispute centres on the replacement of a cobblelock path with a concrete surface and Kfm understands that a council official has told locals that Gardai will be contacted.

The cobblelock before its removal

Residents say the cobblelock was in good condition and fear the change will damage the character of the "award-winning estate", which, they say, has consistently ranked among the top estates in the Tidy Towns competition.

"This nothing short of an act of wonton vandalism. A perfectly good level cobblelock path was removed and is to be replaced by a cement path," a spokesperson for the Association said.

Cobblelock removed and set to be replaced with a cement path

They said it is a "complete waste of tax payers money".

They also said it is a "massive downgrade" to the entrance to the estate.

They said they have no issue with concrete being poured where people cross, but described the removal of the cobblelock path as a step too far.

The Residents Association has also been trying to have "dangerous" tree stumps removed but "nothing has happened", despite the issue being raised over six months ago.

Cllr David Trost (FF), who has made representations to the council on behalf of some of the residents, said he understands "the annoyance" of the residents but if it is a "safety issue" then the council have to make decisions to remove it.

kfm understands that the council is concerned about trucks or cars parking on the cobblelock path, which causes the material to break and crack, ultimately resulting in a possible safety hazard.

We have contacted the council for further clarity.