MOVEMENT of people outside the home of Clare soccer is “a serious accident waiting to happen,” an elected representative has warned.
Current conditions outside Frank Healy Park in Doora were described as frightening by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) as she appealed for the installation of street lights and a footpath linking to the Daybreak convenience store and garage on the Quin Rd.
Acting senior executive officer in the Ennis Municipal District, Barry Conway flagged that Frank Healy Park was located one kilometre east of the existing footpath network on the R469. “To construct a footpath/cycle path over this distance would require land acquisition, construction of considerable embankments and the diversion of large culverts which form an integral part of the Fergus Drainage Network”.
He added, “While the proposal certainly has merit, the constraints involved mean that it is not a project that could be undertaken by the district as part of its annual works programme. I suggest that this project would be considered as part of future transport planning for the town and the MD office will liaise with our colleagues in the design office in this regard”.
Over 200 adults and children use the soccer grounds each week, Cllr Howard claimed. “There is no tuck shop on site so people at the grounds have to walk down a grass verge to get to the nearest shop, I think it is a serious accident waiting to happen,” she stated. “A footpath is absolutely needed to link in with the shop and garage, children are walking on the side of the road along the grass verge during the summer when there are cars speeding, it frightens me to see it”.
Of the existing footpath network, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) observed that it goes from the Ennis Train Station as far as Bruach Na H’abhainn and Johnno’s Bar, “Frank Healy Park is not too far on”. He continued, “It is a great facility, all the big games go on there. The Municipal District should apply for funding for this to go ahead,” he commented while seconding the proposal.
Although he supported the concept, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) believed “it is not as straight forward as putting down a footpath”. He suggested Fr McNamara Park, the Clare camogie county grounds also be included in the discussion highlighting a potential “dual-purpose benefit”.
