Shannon councillors have stated they are not in favour of renaming the newly opened Town Park in memory of their late colleague, Mike McKee.
Local Sinn Féin cumann members have been amassing hundreds of signatures in a petition to rename the Park after McKee but it appears they are set to be meet a stumbling block following Tuesday’s meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.
“Most people are happy with the name” as it is Cllr PJ Ryan said. “I would like to make a proposal at some stage, that we put in a bandstand with Cllr McKee’s link to music that we add his name and a plaque to the bandstand. It would help the situation. I explained to people the park is already named”.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) revealed the Town Park was one of the “last real discussions” he held with McKee prior to his death. “We were there in 2000 when Shannon lost our Town Park, it took us years to put it back into the solution. When we got funding, we were delighted that finally there would be a plethora of facilities opened with the Shannon Town name. I am getting calls for and against”.
Flynn added, “The idea was brought to fruition by Shannon Town Council, there was a savage input by elected members from all sides but also members of the public”. He felt keeping Shannon Town in the title was essential for the area’s identity. “A dedication type thing that you have proposed is a good thing,” he stated in seconding the proposal.
Sinn Féin’s Donna McGettigan who will fill the seat vacated by McKee, she has informed The Clare Echo that her first motion to the Council will be for the Park to be renamed after her friend and colleague.
Both Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) and Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) were absent as the discussion took place, neither Cllr John Crowe (FG) or Cllr Michael Begley (IND) commented.
