The final sitting of the current town council spanned approximately 45 minutes -brief by normal standards. While a distinct air of pre-occupation pertained, the members nonetheless adhered to the business at hand in the spirit of dutiful responsibility. By Christy Parker

Cllr Michael Beecher took some issue with an item in the Town Clerk’s Report on Minutes arising from the previous meeting. The report recorded that on May 1st Ross Daly, on behalf of the EPA, had visited both Youghal landfill and the adjacent waste treatment and sludge drying facility Eras Eco (formerly SVR). “The landfill had been given ‘a clean bill of health’ noted the report. (Curiously, there was no declaration on behalf of Eras Eco). The inspector even concluded that, “no odours were detected on the windfill side of the Slob Bank area which is just 100m from the working face of the landfill.” Cllr Beecher insisted that odours were detected on Sunday morning and through Monday of this week. “Certainly there’s something wrong at the weekends,” he alleged, to no response.

Congratulations:
Cllr Mary Linehan Foley congratulated “Pobalscoil na Trionoide students Aisling Siochru, Adam Dalton and Aisling Coleman who, along with their teacher Ms O’Neill,” who earned the school first place in the final of the Millipore Science Competition at the Sheraton Hotel Dublin last week. The school beat five other schools in the contest. The councillor also congratulated John Quill and David O’Callaghan who lined out for Ireland’s under-21 rugby side away to France recently. She further paid tribute “yet again to Sarah Ryan,” whose outstanding pole vaulting brought her another All-Ireland title at Limerick last April 25th

Cllr Beecher congratulated Fr. Michael Bermingham on his appointment as Parish Priest to Blarney. “Its Blarney’s gain. He’s a great guy and will be missed,” he said.

Sympathy:
Councillor Beecher remembered the late Mary Crowley who passed away last week and remarked on her “great work as an organist in the Parish church throughout the years.” Cllr Linehan Foley endorsed the sentiment and recalled being tutored in piano by Ms. Crowley.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Liam Burke said there have been very many requests for the playground at Greencloyne to be opened. He asked that the council make a special effort to get it open for the primary school summer holidays. Other issues to which the councillor drew attention included a very large pothole outside 13 Kilcoran Park, a request for speed ramps at Chestnut Drive, footpath repairs needed at 29 Sweetfield and the unfinished footpath at Windmill Hill. He sought a commencement date for landscaping works at Sra na Sali. He echoed residents’ requests for footpaths from the junction of Kicoran and Seafield Rd to Chestnut Drive. The councillor said there are persistent complaints of dog fouling in the town, which is destroying otherwise beautiful amenity walks. He asked that extra bins for dog faeces be placed on the Lighthouse Hill and promenade. In conclusion Cllr Burke asked that the diving board be put out for the June weekend.

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley asked that the trees in North Abbey cemetery be trimmed. She said an abandoned car on Kilcoran Road needed removing, with the owner possibly traced via the chassis number. The councillor asked that the council write to the owner of a derelict site on Greens Quay, which is now being used as a urinal by people fishing in the locality. “It needs cordoning off or something,” she suggested. She wasn’t sure if a letter had been dispatched to the owner previously and what, if any, response was forthcoming. The councillor was also concerned about the “deadly dangerous” footpaths from Kilcoran Road to Chestnut Drive. She proceeded that residents at Greencloyne were keen for double yellow lines to be installed near the entrance to Mistletoe Grove estate, as parked vehicles are hindering residents’ views when exiting the estate.

Cllr Barbara Murray called for restoration of a collapsed hand railing at Raheen Park. She asked for increased car parking space at Dermot Hurley estate, due to increase in car ownership and, given funding restraints, hoped there might be some money available in Rapid programmes. Cllr Murray said an abandoned car at Dolphins Square is being used as a rubbish skip. She then criticised a perceived trend whereby estates are being built without connecting footpaths. She described Chestnut Drive-Kilcoran and onto Summerfield as just one example of “no connectivity.” She added that there are houses at Summerfield for 40 years that still have no footpaths despite a growing population.

Cllr Beecher echoed Cllr Murray’s concerns re the Raheen Park railing before adding that the grass needed trimming in the same area and onto Sarsfield’s Terrace. Another hand railing at Chestnut Drive also needed repairs and he asked for an update on the proposed car park for Sarsfield’s Terrace. Bins are required on Golf Links Road, he proceeded, to deal with further dog fouling problems. He said the ‘boy racer” menace in the town needs to be addressed, as does a bin at Dolphin Square car park which is being used and abused through deposits of domestic rubbish.

Cllr Michelle Hennessy said Bayview Grove needs traffic calming measures and that residents from 1-18 have “signed a petition in favour.” She said an accident is waiting to happen due to a downhill entrance and signs indicating children at play would also be welcome. The councillor also suggested that shrubs on the Mill Road roundabout be trimmed

Cllr Sandra McLellan asked that CIE be asked to erect a timetable at the bus stop at the Fair Field as visitors have no way of discerning bus times. She called for repairs to a collapsed handrail by the steps at the bottom of Raheen Park. The councillor had several representations to make on behalf of residents at Sarsfield’s Terrace. She said some residents want to know if the council will paint the grotto statue. She raised the issue of the proposed car park for the area, observing that “the planning notice went up in 2005 and there’s been no work since.” She asked that the council consider traffic calming measures for the area and said residents would also like the road widened at the bottom of the terrace as cars are being damaged. The councillor then said that a hole “the size of a small vehicle” needed re-filling at Kilcoran Park. She also said residents at Springfield Court wanted to know when the council would be taking charge of the estate. Town Clerk Liam Ryan said he estate is still the developer’s responsibility and it normally would take a few years before a council took over. However, he estimated it would occur “probably in about 12 months.”

Cllr McLellan asked that the Town Clerk issue a press release on the situation regarding the closed playground, echoing Cllr Burke’s earlier insistence that it is the most common issue being aired on pre-election doorsteps. “People don’t know that it was closed on health and safety grounds, let alone if it is re-opening, she pleaded. Responding, Mr. Ryan said the playground was closed on safety regulations last year. He said he would not mention the estimates for repair and refurbishment due to it currently going through a tender process, but that he had, with great difficulty, secured two sources of funding. These were mainly through Dormant Accounts from the Dept of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs’ Pobal sector. This money will be delivered but the second funding from Cork County Council has since been withdrawn due to the recession. However, he said, he intends to replace the Cork County Council shortfall “from somewhere” and that tenders would in fact be opened later in the meeting, setting the ball rolling although the actual date of work commencement was neither given nor yet decided.

Cork County Council Items:
Cllr McLellan asked that repairs be conducted on the footpath outside Condon’s flower shop as accidents had occurred there. “The owner has had to administer first aid to two people in the past fortnight,” she said.

Cllr Beecher said the disabled space at the Fair Field car park needs widening due to stopcock at the left hand side. He said a car owner had been asked to move his car on occasion, which was “unacceptable.” He added that the yellow box behind the space needed painting. Mr Ryan said the area is to be completely redesigned under the Heritage Regeneration Project and nothing will be altered meantime. “The redesign is not to far away,” he added.

Cllr Murray said “a proper cleaning regime is needed for the Claycastle car park, with particular emphasis on emptying the dog poop bins. “I again ask that someone visit the car park on a Monday and a Friday,” she said. “Its vital that the place is clean before and after every weekend. Cllr Murray was unimpressed that a protruding manhole cover with broken pavement was still un-repaired. “In fairness, it’s been a month since I told you,” she informed Town engineer Paul Murray, tersely. Its pure negligence.”

Cllr Linehan Foley asked whether there are plans for more bins at the Claycastle beach. “If there are no bins there, people will litter the beach,” she stated. The councillor also pointed out -not for first time- that a new footpath at Dominic Collins Place does not connect with the rest of the pathway. “There are a lot of elderly people there and its dangerous for them,” she said.

Cllr Sammy Revins said parking on the footpath at Tallow Street is preventing people with buggies from passing. He asked that the County Council look at the issue.

Cllr Dave Savage sought a guarantee that lifeguards would again be deployed in Youghal this summer, with the inherent consequences for blue flag status to bear in mind. The town engineer reassured him that the service for 2009 will not differ from that of 2008.

Cllr Burke repeated his ongoing request for a report on the provision of a new library for Youghal. He delivered “the usual list of broken footpaths,” they being Tallow Street, junction of South Abbey/Strand Street and South Main Street east side. He reported a missing sign for the Strand from the top of the bypass, relevant to traffic from Co. Waterford. A dog fouling sign at the entrance to Claycastle car park is partly obscured by shrubbery, he proceeded, while a concealed entrance sign is missing from Summerdale Lawn along with unfinished road surface. Mr. Murray said he’d replace the missing concealed entrance sign if he couldn’t locate the original!

Mayor’s Business:
Mayor Casey conveyed the gratitude of Paddy DeLacour and family for the recent civic reception to mark his retirement from the fire service. The mayor next outlined an application from the family of the late Emer Casey for the approval and support of the council to plant a tree in her name. He said the family would wish to have the tree planted prior to fourth anniversary of her passing and also the staging of third annual Emer Casey 10k road race/walk on May 23rd. The family wished to locate the tree, which they would provide, in a sea view location, with railed surround and accompanied by a plaque. The council’s guidance as regards any restrictions or procedures was also sought. Mayor Casey reflected that Emer’s death from ovarian cancer had sparked the Emer Casey Foundation, which was now effectively saving lives through its fundraising and cancer research projects. “It perhaps sounds strange to say but the good that has arisen from this tragedy is absolutely outstanding,” he said earnestly. The chamber unanimously supported the request.

Correspondence:
Mayor Casey referred to a copy of a letter received from Australian-based Mr. Ed O’Shea (formerly Midleton). The letter was accompanied by a copied report from the Sydney Morning Herald referring the life and Youghal native Paddy Kenneally who emigrated to Australia, aged 11, with his family in 1927. He would serve with distinction as a commando in the Australian army in East Timor and New Guinea during WWII. The article dealt with Paddy’s love and respect for the East Timorese people and his recognition -contrary to the successive Australian governments- of their assistance and suffering during and after the war. Paddy exhibited what every Youghal person would do well to emulate. Having lambasted, in 1996, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s support for Indonesia’s 1975 invasion of East Timor, in 2005 he addressed then Prime Minister John Howard on national television. Urging that his government give the newly independent East Timor “a fair go,” on the eve of Anzac day he informed Howard that if he did not comply, “I’d rather you didn’t come to my Anzac day parade.” The government capitulated a day later, offering East Timor 50% of a disputed gas field. Up the Youghal boy indeed! Paddy Kenneally, a hero in war and in peace, died recently aged 93. Mayor Casey spoke fondly of several meetings with Paddy -also know by his first name John.

Painting the town:
Town Manager Patricia Power said up to 20 businesses had applied to participate in the subsidised, house-painting heritage regeneration project for 2009. “Six of these have already been approved and are ready to go,” she told a delighted chamber. A further 10 are to be assessed this week. The increase marks a huge increase in the 2008 uptake, which was stymied by bad weather.

Tenders for playground remedial work:
The Town Clerk opened the received tenders. He added that there may be some others to follow being possibly included amongst received drawings, which it would not be practical to open at the meeting. They would be added later. Those he opened were, in no particular order, as follows: Creative Play Solutions; All Play Ltd.; Priority Consruction Ltd.; McGinty & O’Shea Ltd.; Bowen Construction Ltd.: Go Play Ltd.; Metro Building Contractors Ltd.; Spraoi Linn Ltd.: Peter O’Brien & Sons Landscaping Ltd. There was a considerable price variation amongst the tenders, ranging (not necessarily in order opened) from approx. €55,000 to approx. €120,000. The tenders will now go for technical assessment.

And finally…

Cllr Burke wished his fellow election candidates -from within and without the chamber- the best of luck for the June showdown. He urged all the electorate to use their vote and to “use the proportional representation system to cast preferences for every candidate. Every candidate deserves a preference,” he stated. Finally, Cllr Revins bridged the gap between the outgoing council and the next administration with the timely warning that, “Bad candidates get elected by people who don’t vote.” June 5th will tell.

end