BATS have been accused of “destroying” parts of Clonlara.
Ways of getting rid of bats from the South-East Clare village need to be explored, a frustrated Cllr Michael Begley (IND) told a recent sitting of Clare County Council’s Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).
“How do I go about getting rid of bats from a public building in use,” Cllr Begley questioned Clare Heritage Officer, Congella Maguire. “They are literally destroying the place,” he added with the amount of droppings left behind prompting a rise in his frustration.
Obstacles posed by the bats and their protection were overcome by Clonlara GAA club when they secured permission to develop a walkway, “they were put through the ropes,” the former Mayor of Clare outlined.
Begley continued, “Are we gone over the top in protecting situations like that where it is preferable to have an inside of a church destroyed by bat droppings rather than clear them”.
Solutions should be examined with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Maguire said in response. She explained, “Bats and lighting is an issue, lighting can affect insects and certainly affects the behaviour of bats, they are not mutually exclusive but it has to be planned properly and done in the right way, we have to look at how a trail can be lit which wouldn’t hopefully affect the bats”.
Clarification was then provided by Cllr Begley that the lighting issue was sorted and that it was the regular droppings at the church that were problematic.
“There is no reason for the church situation to continue,” Congella responded. She said the building would have to be looked but was hopeful a resolution would be implemented, “there is a way around these”.
Chair of the SPC, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) remarked in jest, “we will have to find out if they are Catholic bats”.
