*Cllr Pat Hayes, Deputy Michael McNamara, Senator Timmy Dooley & Cllr Joe Cooney. Photograph: John Mangan
DISAPPOINTMENT with the representation of Clare’s TDs for the people of the county has been voiced.
At a public meeting in Scariff to discuss plans to accommodate 77 international protection applicants at the Clare Lakelands Hotel, the absence of the three of the county’s TDs from the meeting was among the criticisms aired.
Deputy Michael McNamara (IND) was the only Clare TD in attendance with apologies issued by Cathal Crowe (FF) and Joe Carey (FG) by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) and Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) respectively. Violet Anne Wynne (IND) was absent and did not inform organisers that she would not attend the meeting.
Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) was among the most vocal of the four politicians at the meeting. Apologies were also received from Senator Martin Conway (FG) but none were forthcoming for organisers from Senator Roisin Garvey (GP).
Both Cooney and Hayes were the only councillors in the Killaloe Municipal District present with Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr Pat Burke (FG) and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) not at the meeting.
“I’m so disappointed here tonight, we’ve voted four TDs in and there is only one of them elected that is here tonight. It is a disgrace. Ye are above in Dáil Éireann representing us, well ye are making a fair job of it, now ye are here and only one person is able to show up, I’m so disappointed,” Scariff man Ted told the meeting.
Cllr Cooney replied, “I said at the beginning of the meeting, Deputy Carey is ill at the moment, I did say that. We have to give credit where it is due, he has been out of duty for the last few months unfortunately for health reasons”.
Prior to this, tensions bubbled on the potential safety implications following on from the addition of 77 new residents at the hotel.
“I put the information up as soon as I got it on both occasions, when I asked the Department why didn’t we get a heads up,” Senator Dooley told the meeting on the lack of advanced notification to the community.
Publican Mike McNamara asked the meeting, “Is this thing done and dusted” to which Senator Dooley responded, “There is a contract signed with the operator and the Department”. He added, “It depends what you want to do, if the purpose of the meeting is to block them coming”.
“Are you suggesting that? Have we enough guards in the town if something happens,” Ellen Cunningham responded. “There is a secrecy about it all,” she commented.
One woman in attendance asked, “How do we know our children will be safe cycling up to and from school, I’ll have to walk with them to school” to which another woman replied, “do you know if your children are safe going to school now”.
Senator Dooley added, “When we asked why we weren’t given information way back, we were told until such time as a contract was signed they didn’t know if it was going to go ahead”.
