*Abbey Street car park.
POLITICIANS WHO FAILED to attend a public meeting over plans to redevelop Abbey Street car park as part of the Ennis 2040 Strategy, have come under fire.
Of the seven elected members of the Ennis Municipal District, two missed the entire duration of Thursday’s public meeting at the Temple Gate Hotel which drew a crowd in the region of 200 people.
Both Cllr Mary Howard (FG) and Cllr Ann Norton (IND) were absent from the gathering, the duo ironically are also board members of the Ennis 2040 DAC, the private company established by Clare County Council to deliver the strategy.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) was a late arrival to the meeting. Her comments in The Clare Echo in recent weeks on the ease of getting parking in the town came under fire during the gathering.
Retailers of Ennis had organised the meeting and said they had received apologies from the Mayor who was attending a memorial service in Drumcliffe, this drew a few groans from those seated in the crowd. Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) also contacted organisers to inform them that they couldn’t attend.
Three of Clare’s four TDs were present. Cathal Crowe (FF) and Michael McNamara (IND) both spoke while Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) arrived after the meeting had commenced but did not make a contribution. Joe Carey (FG) who remains on leave had issued his apologies to organisers prior to the meeting.
None of the county’s Senators, Martin Conway (FG), Timmy Dooley (FF) or Roisin Garvey (GP) were in attendance.
Councillors from across the county travelled to attend. Cllr Pat Daly (FF), Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) who have opposed aspects of the strategy at meetings of the Ennis MD spoke at the meeting, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) who had a crucial vote on the planned construction of a temporary car park and demolition of properties on Francis St was in attendance but did not speak.
Shannon based Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) who has attended meetings of the Ennis MD when the strategy has been discussed in the Chamber and who also marched with the Francis Street Alliance spoke at the meeting. Other members of the local authority in attendance on Thursday night included, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF), Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) and Cllr Joe Killeen (FF).
Prior to the arrival of the Mayor of Ennis, Noel Tierney of Tierney Cycles & Fishing Hobbies voiced his criticism of the politicians that were absent. He said he was “chuffed” with the turnout among traders and the public. “The Mayor of Ennis and the Mayor of Clare are not here, it is disrespectful”.
He asked “why are they not here” to which Alfonso D’Auria of Enzo’s Take Away on Parnell St quickly replied that there was “no parking” for them.
Tierney added, “The Mayor of Ennis is not here and it is shocking”. He claimed, “these people not here, they gave us the most dearest car spaces in the world” referencing the Market St development.
