A Shannon Banks resident who will contest the local elections in Clare this May has mixed views on whether Limerick should be allowed extend its county boundary to the area in which she lives.
Betty Walsh will represent The Social Democrats in the Shannon Municipal District having previously contested the 1999 local election in the Killaloe area whilst a member of The Labour Party.
In October 1978, she moved to Shannon Banks. In her last election bid, Walsh called for a plebiscite regarding the county boundary. A recent debate between Fianna Fáil councillors, Cathal Crowe and Kieran O’Hanlon on Newstalk achieved little on the matter, she felt. “In 1999 I said there should be a plebiscite done and the boundary commission has ruled that we’re in Co Clare, I don’t see those two guys that were talking about it making a huge difference, they’re not going to influence that.
“What I’d be calling on Clare County Council to do is reopen their offices up here, put investment into this community, we’re in it now and it looks like we’re going to stay here. They should look after us a bit better”.
Originally from Newcastle West, Betty is undecided on whether the Limerick boundary should be extended into Co Clare. “I’m mixed on it, I have mixed feelings on it, if there was better facilities is what I’d be calling for. A community centre or something better than what it is, I know it has come a long way, we have a Tesco, two chemists, there’s a few bits and pieces being done. I have mixed feelings on it, I’m only two miles from Limerick City”.
