'We're still fighting': Olympian Kellie Harrington hails Limerick community for saving open space

DOUBLE Olympic boxing champion Kellie Harrington has congratulated a Limerick community which has successfully campaigned to keep its park.

After a dramatic meeting this Monday, councillors voted by a majority of 39 to, in essence, prevent development of housing at Boro Park in Janesboro on Limerick's southside.

Mayor John Moran had wanted to see up to 500 modular homes built on the park, a proposal which drew opposition from locals.

PICTURES: Mayor of Limerick John Moran’s Annual Fundraising Dinner 2026

As a result of this, City East councillors Sarah Kiely and priomh-chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery put down a motion invoking emergency legislation to prevent development on the land.

In the wake of the vote at Limerick's council chamber, Cllr Kiely posted a reel to Instagram expressing her delight at its outcome.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sarah Kiely (@sarahleekiely)

One of the Fine Gael councillors' followers tagged Kellie Harrington - who has more than 103,000 followers on the social media platform.

And the Dublin boxer, who has scooped world and European titles alongside her Olympic medals in Tokyo and Paris responded, writing: "Absolutely brilliant. Well done to all involved. We are trying to save our open space, so know the hard work it takes and we are still fighting. Massive well done."

As she referenced, she has been actively campaigning to sace a local community green space in Dublin's north inner city, known as The Strand near Portland Row.

The site is earmarked for a 49-unit social housing development, and while Ms Harrington has stated she is not against the construction of housing, she does not want to see the loss of this particular recreational space.

Cllr Kiely said: "I was shocked to be honest with you. When I looked at it, I had to look twice. I thought, 'is that really Kellie Harrington's account looking at my reel?'."

"They are facing something similar in Dublin with their park. I don't know the exact details, but I am happy to point them in the right direction if they need some assistance. It is quite an achievement to do what we did yesterday and now come to the attention as prestigious and noted as Kellie Harrington. I'm just amazed by the reach social media has," she smiled.

BREAKING: University of Limerick appoints new President

"This was a landmark vote, but I didn't think it would get this much attention," she added.

Cllr Kiely sent a direct message to Ms Harrington offering her support.

"Who knows, we could be seeing another section 139 in Dublin," the councillor laughed, referencing the section of Local Government legislation she and Cllr Slattery used to stop the modular housing plans in their tracks.