Emergency services “wouldn’t have a chance” of reaching a nursing home or surrounding residents when big rugby games are taking place in Ennis, one dweller has claimed despite Gardaí not receiving any reports of such traffic problems.
Mary Mather Leahy of the Clare Older People’s Council raised her concerns at the October meeting of the Clare JPC which took place at the Burren College of Art. “There are seventy five dwellings by where I live. Road access is very limited when big events are on in the rugby field, cars are parked on both sides of the road leaving little access for pedestrians never mind cars trying to get through”.
Referring to the nearby Ennis Nursing Home and Páirc na Coille Retirement Village, she said, “If you needed fire emergency services or the ambulance which the nursing home often does, you haven’t a chance”. She warned, “It is getting out of hand”.
In response, Superintendent Brendan McDonagh confirmed he would liaise with Ennis RFC on the matter and the Showgrounds. “We haven’t got any complaints on it,” he pointed out.
Mather Leahy highlighted that Sunday mornings were the worst occurrence along with training sessions in the evening. “It was managed well by stewards for the County Show,” she admitted but said individuals on mobility scooters were having difficulty passing by on busy times. Supt McDonagh encouraged her and other residents to call the Gardaí should the situation persist.
