Report By Christy Parker

Prior to the meeting proper, the Council welcomed a delegation from Church Street. They Clodagh Madden, spokeswoman, Jerry McCarthy representing Shalom House and the Alms houses, Mick Treacy of the Nook, Brendan McCarthy, father of three small children and Kay O’Beirne, grandmother and regular minder of two small grandchildren. They also had sanction from tour guide Sheila Loughnane to speak on her behalf. They were there to convey their concerns on the potential re-opening of the laneway, which has been closed for two years, during and following major landscaping work in keeping with the town’s Heritage Strategy and regeneration programme.

Heritage core

Ms. Madden said that while the laneway was now “peaceful, safe, attractive and welcoming,” with what little traffic that needed to access being easily manageable. She first deliberated on the issue from a tourism perspective. “It’s the heart and obvious access to major tourist and heritage sites in the town,” she said. Tourist numbers were not just rising significantly, with over 100 traversing the lane last Friday alone, but doing so in a delightful ambience that was producing pleasant interaction between locals and visitors delighted with the general area. “It’s a contrast to the days when they’d be flattened against walls by traffic,” noted Ms Madden.

Nook proprietor Michael Treacy also emphasised the commercial/tourism aspect of the lane, insisting that Youghal’s industrial profile with its “fast-buck” mentality was in the past, that heritage is its and that it “shouldn’t take rocket science” to devise a plan to minimise the traffic that threatened it.

The argument reflected more personal concerns when Jerry Mr. McCarthy spoke of 25 residents of Shalom House having to “duck into doorways” to avoid cars. Kay O’Beirne spoke of the dangers posed to children by traffic on the narrow lane, not to mention the cul-de-sac now discouraging so called joy riders. Parking was largely a pleasure now, she emphasised but those parking in their own premises would have difficulty accessing the lanes with a constant traffic flow, as would wheelchair users. Brendan McCarthy echoed the concerns in respect of his and others’ children. It would provide a nightmare journey for people with prams, he added.

Cllr Barbara Murray was first to respond and her views would be reflected in the subsequent sentiments of her colleagues. She agreed that Church Street was now “gateway to the heritage core” and also felt that pedestrianisation generally, was the way forward for Youghal. The chamber was unanimous in its acceptance that traffic would be bad for Church Street but, as Cllr Mary Linehan Foley observed, there are still another five lanes to consider and the knock-on effect that closing any one lane can have on the remainder. She agreed with the sentiments but also found approval for her insistence that the issue be considered in the wider context of a proper traffic management plan.

Town Manager Patricia Power concurred and said she would set about rallying a senior engineer and his forces to conduct a survey with a view to devising such a plan.

Priestly problems

Progress on the issue had been faster than the traffic on the lane used to be, but the delegation then presented a logjam. Ms. Madden recalled a promise of “five parking spaces for residents of Shalom House.” However, a “certain priest” had, “without consultation or planning permission,’ managed to have installed three bollards and a parking space for his personal use. At one stage, the delegation reported, he had engaged “the most courteous and considerate” of developers, John McMahon & Co, to erect a fourth bollard but a lady driver had insistently sabotaged the plan by parking on the site!

The council heard that the priest refuses to drive into the alleyway where he lives and has not merely been stubborn but “very abusive” when attempts have been made to persuade him to do so.  Letters had been dispatched, an Archbishop (appropriately) had been invoked “and perhaps even the Pope,” suggested Ms Madden, but to no avail. Where the Church failed, so also had the State. Gardai armed with measuring tapes had also failed to cajole the man of the collar into confronting the demons of the alleyway, with the power of petrol. It was decided that Town Clerk Liam Ryan –a former altar boy allegedly- would best be suited to resolve the riddle of the priest and the passageway.

Votes Of Congratulations:

Cllr Revins congratulated Pat Collins on re-opening Jack O’Patsy’s at Friar Street. He said it a workforce of nine will be employed with potential for 25 in due course. All products on sale within will be made in Youghal, he added.

Cllr Linehan Foley congratulated Sinead Lane of Windmill Lane for becoming Ireland’s first blind solicitor. She paid tribute also to all ibvolbed in the recent triathlon and the ill-fated, rain-soaked Medieval day which, she noted, still attracted a steady “trickle” of people. The councillor also congratulated Cara Moloney of Mill who recently became the first female ever to become first in the Potential NCO course. She congratulated in advance all participants in the Team Youghal entry for the All Ireland cycle race.

Cllr Donie Daly congratulated hurlers Leigh Desmond and Brendan Ring on representing the successful Cork Intermediate team over Kilkenny.

Cllr Michelle Hennessy congratulated six members of the Keniry School of Dancing, two from Youghal and four from Midleton, who performed “fantastically” in a show from Eurodisney on September 3rd.

Mayor Sandra McLellan offered a vote of congratulations to Gardai Pat Grace and Pat O’Leary on their retirements. She also paid tribute to Dennis Desmond of O’Reilly’s Terrace on the huge success of his “absolutely fantastic” Epping Forest during their visit to Youghal. She also congratulated Eddie O’Sullivan on his new autobiography.

Town Foreman’s report:

Cllr Linehan Foley said a recent outbreak of graffiti was a disgrace and she hoped the gardai had apprehended those responsible. A bollard “at Frankie Keane’s place” needed re-erecting. She asked who is responsible for Parklands, as a lot of residents have problems with faulty fireplaces. She said the developer was referring them to the council but she didn’t think the council had taken over the estate yet. She suggested someone attend to a wall at Kilcoran road, near Brendan Casey’s as it seems about to fall.

Cllr Liam Burke said a cracked footpath at the bottom of Windmill Lane needed attention. He sought updates on proposed landscaping at Srathan na Sali. He reminded that the diving board needed taking in at the end of the month, while the green area at the path leading to the diving rocks needed cutting. Light no 4 at Shanavine needed replacing, he concluded.

Cllr Donie Daly said residents at Sweetfield wanted a derelict site next to a developed site restored to its previous state. Also, the wooden, flower-adorned entrance sign at Sweetfield is “being kicked by people’ and perhaps a concrete solution could be found. He too wanted a baby swing for the Millennium playground. Residents at Mill road have a ponding problem. The roundabout at Mill Road was a problem too as it was hard to see approaching traffic from the town side approach. The sight lines at Magner’s Hill/Dermot Hurley presented a similar situation and speed ramps for the front of Dermot Hurley estate were also required.

Site for Eyesores

Cllr Eoin Coyne said overhanging trees at Golf Links Road near Poison Bush Lane badly needed trimming for the sake and safety of pedestrians. Two shores at the top of Sarsfield’s Terrace needed unblocking. He condemned the “dreadful eyesore” that is the old Murray Kitchens (and would-be-Dunnes!) site, now despoiled even further with graffiti. He requested that the owners be asked to cut the grass at least. He sought an baby swing –with harness- for the re-opened Millennium playground.

Cllr Hennessy had had much of her list already aired but she said residents at Parklands were wondering when the lights on the estate would be activated given that the poles and bulbs were in place. “Its pitch dark and children are out playing,” she said. She said hedges on private properties opposite Amber petrol station badly needed pruning as they were intruding onto the footpath. She repeated previous requests that the rockery at Dermot Hurly estate be removed, before a bad accident occurred.

Lisbon

Cllr Murray wondered if the Council could draw o the bond if nothing forthcoming from the developer’s side at Parklands. “Apparently there is a lot of rubble on the green area,” she said. She said a new sign for Nealon’s Quay is blocking sight lines and also some of the signs for the Battle of Lisbon 2 should be removed “regardless of what party” before they take the eye out of someone’s head or worse! (There was a general ‘yes” to her proposal). She said the town’s bins were a mess, with curry sauce very apparent. Cllr Linehan Foley asked were she sure it was curry sauce?! The wall in Ashe Street, is “absolutely scary,” she said, with a bulging belly and a tendency to topple. She wanted the ground arrows on Nealon’s Quay car park painted.

Cllr Michael Beecher wanted trees near Artysan cut back though he was unsure if it was a council matter and even if it was, which council! He urged the Town Foreman to check for other obtrusive trees also. He also wanted some “dangerous” tree stumps removed from opposite the Town Hall (or Mall Arts Centre if you like). The pavement and gutters at the tourist office and CYMS respectively needed remedial attention. Graffiti around the town, he said, was scandalous, as was dog fouling and general littering. “These people should be caught and an example made of them,” he insisted. He said a hand railing was needed going into the sally port opposite Cross Lane. A similar remedy was needed on steps to the footpath at Mill Road. He too was asked about the non-lights at Parklands and he wondered what plans there were for the green area at the entrance. He was told it was a private space and there were currently no plans.

Cork County Council Items:

Cllr Murray said a dip on he road near the swimming pool needed resolving. She was keen for landscaping at Srathan na Sali to proceed. The bins at Claycastle needed to be emptied more frequently, while the area to the right hand side, although merging into private property from County Council land needed to be cleaned up. She said there was “huge ponding” at Kia garage.

Cllr Beecher asked if there was any plan to alleviate flooding at Quarry Road. He believed Kilcoran Road was “not on the Register of Electors, nor on Sat Nav” and showed up as Knockaverry instead.” Cllr Linehan Foley (who lives there), vehemently disagreed. Liam Ryan said the road was Kilcoran Road and the townland was Knockaverry. It was decided to “write to Franchise” to resolve any discrepancy. The councillor repeated previous requests for route information signs at the end of Cork Hill, two ‘Fair Trade’ signs at town approach roads and information signs on the N25 indicating free main street parking from 1-2pm.

Cllr Hennessy asked if the road liners were returning as there were still a lot of road marking needed. Cork County Council’s Town Engineer Paul Murray said he had completed the list he as give but they would be returning from the country and a further list could be considered. He warned that the road works budget was now at €3,000 from the original €20,000. However more funds would be available in 2010.

Quarryvale quandary

The discussion detoured towards the newly re-painted and slightly extended double yellow lines opposite Crowley’s garage, by the entrance to Quarryvale. Cllr Linehen Foley, forever warning of the danger being imposed by vehicles ignoring the lines and impeding the view of emerging drivers, said they “might as well have painted hop scotch lines there” for all the difference it would make. Mr. Murray appeared relatively unmoved, his alleged promise to Cllr Linehan Foley to landscape the area with flower beds remaining unfulfilled. Cllr Daly demanded “a more imaginative solution than Mickey Mouse double yellow lines” to avert a tragedy. He had written to the guards to no avail.

Cllr Daly then suggested the area’s footpath be extended. Cllr Linehan Foley said a private tenant adjacent to three boards that occupy a footpath space would be willing to talk to Mr. Murray, who in turn said he would follow up on the issue. It was felt the footpath would offer the best part of a solution that could be easily completed finalised by the application of hardcore covering and some ditch removal. However, the Town Clerk reminded that several agencies may need to co-operate to effect funding for the project, with Cork County Council responsible for the road and an Estate Enhancement Programme in operation that revolved around Woodland Grove and Quarryvale. The current economic climate did not promise much in that direction. One can only hope the climate doesn’t darken further with a serious road accident in the area.

Babies, bottles and beer

Cllr Daly then continued that the area between the prom and Claycastle was “a disgrace’ -liter-ally so to speak- with cans, beer bottles and nappies in evidence. Not that babies were drinking mind for, as he asked, “what kind of animals leave this stuff behind them?” He advocated prosecutions, followed by public “naming and shaming.” Cllr Beecher concurred and nobody demurred.

Cllr Burke sought an update on the proposed new fire station for Youghal and likewise the proposed new library. He decried the ongoing ponding by Nagle  House and once more raised the issue of the missing concealed entrance sign at Summerdale Lawn. He said there was “no road surface at all” between St. Coran’s well and the entrance to Summerdale Lawn and beyond, amongst other places. He repeated the usual list of “jigsaw puzzle pavements”, aka Tallow Street, South Main Street and the junction of South Abbey and Strand Street. The Town Engineer said new costings for the proposed fire station were currently being considered.

Cllr Revins thanked the engineer for road repairs to the main streets and asked for similar in the Knockaverry area. Cllr Linehan Foley requested likewise for a manhole cover in Kilcoran Road. She then asked that signs be erected on the bog road to Redbarn warning of road-crossing swans and ducks. A motorcyclist had nearly collided with some ducks recently. She dismissed the Town Clerk’s scepticism that such signs existed by referring to their presence a plenty in Killarney for example. She also condemned dumping at the area’s Birdwatch which she revealed, was now a romantic (if not actually a mating) site for humans. She sought a solution to the “unbelievable” overflowing of the toilets at the Front Strand due to vandalism. Finally, a shore in Kilcoran Road was in poor shape also.

Mayor’s Business:

Mayor Sandra McLellan said French town Lamour Plage wished to send a deputation to Youghal to re-energize twinning arrangements. They wish to investigate the possibility of establishing summer camps between teenagers from both towns. She had passed the information to Youghal’s twinning committee.

The Mayor referred to the upcoming Youghal celebrates History conference weekend (Sept 25th-27th) and said it had an outstanding programme of events pertaining to ‘The Blackwater Valley –Historic Houses and Landscapes.’

She also remarked on a conference in Killarney called ‘Getting a Grip’ which will tackle the issue of reducing drug and alcohol related harm. Town Clerk Liam Ryan said he would advise anyone interested in attending on the funding situation.

Mayor McLellan then reminded the council of the impending Team Youghal entry for the Race Around Ireland on behalf of the Emer Casey Foundation. (See elsewhere in this edition for details).

Taking in Charge of Dun na Mara, Youghal:

The Town Clerk said there had been no submissions following newspaper notices and the Council would now proceed with the taking over.

Nomination of Public Representaive To Youghal Community Alert Committee:

Cllr Coyne, nominated by Cllr Revins was appointed. Cllr Beecher declined to be nominated given that he is already treasurer of the group. It will be Cllr Coyne’s official remit to report proceedings back to the Council.

Draft Youghal Town Council ‘Taking in Charge’ Procedure for Private Housing estates Policy Document:

The Town Clerk quickly described the various aspects of the taking in charge procedure contained in the document. Cllr Linehan Foley welcomed the initiative, saying it would educate and inform a lot of people and dispel many misunderstandings regarding the issue. One such example was the misconception that the Council was responsible for council houses on private estates, she cited. She asked how long it usually takes for a Council to take charge and was told it takes “a number of years,” depending on how long until the developer met all the criteria necessary to fulfil his obligations. “Usually if there is a delay, it’s down to the developer,” Mr Ryan said.

Draft Youghal Town Council Tenant’s Handbook 2009:

Mr. Ryan said it was an update of he 2005 handbook and dealt with all aspects of Council tenancy. Cllr Beecher commended the contents.

Youghal Farmers’ Market

The market is seeking to trade at Dolphin’s square on Fridays, the Town Clerk informed the meeting. It emerged that difficulties over insurance issues had decided the organisers to abandon previous intentions to trade on a Tesco owned site adjacent to the supermarket. Mr, Ryan was seeking permission from the members to amend the Casual trading bye-laws prior to accepting a submission to the Council for the market. Cllr Murray was uneasy about the loss of car spaces as was Cllr Revins but the uncertainties were far outweighed by the positives, probably moreso with the recent failure of the ‘Dunnes Stores’ planning application on foot of local objections!! “We are losing shoppers to similar markets in Dungarvan, Lismore and Midleton,” observed Cllr Revins.  Cllr Murray said she could see the lure of greater foot traffic at Dolphin’s Square compared to Barry’s Lane and she gradually rowed in with her approval. Mr Ryan added that if Tesco had a problem in relation to a protected structure then they could concede it to Youghal Town Council and there would be no insurance issues!”

Motions in the name of Cllr. Burke seconded by Cllr. Revins:

a): That Youghal Town Council calls on Cork County Council to freeze the County Demand for 2010 in light of the current national economic difficulties being experienced by al businesses and local authorities; and that this motion be circulated to all local authorities in Cork County”.

b): “That Youghal Town Council calls on our local County Councillors to table a similar motion at Cork County Council”.

Cllr Burke said the annual County Charge paid by Youghal to Cork County Council had risen from to €619,000 in 2006 to €740,000 in 2009. Neither a breakdown of expenditure nor details of how it was calculated were ever forthcoming, he said. He believed no increase could be justified for the coming year in the current economic climate. Cllr Revins said a recent AIMI conference, many town councils expressed similar concerns. Cllr Murray praised the Motion and said she would raise it at County Council level. The Motions were passed unanimously.

Motion in the name of Cllr. Revins seconded by Cllr. Linehan Foley:

“That Youghal Town Council calls on the Minister of Finance outlining the importance of the RAPID area status of Youghal, and ask him not to implement the draconian financial cut backs proposals contained within the McCarthy report. This is in recognition of RAPID’s significant and demonstratable impact on improving service, delivery, support and resources for new and existing projects, community initiatives and local infrastructure”.

There was unanimous concurrence for Cllr Revins’s view that Youghal had benefited enormously from RAPID programmes. Cllr Murray recalled that Youghal originally recoiled from RAPID designation but it had proven to be of enormous benefit. “It’s been an ongoing process and it needs to continue,” she insisted. The Motion was passed unanimously.

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YOUGHAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FACING SERVICE CRISIS

By Christy Parker

There was anger and dismay amongst Youghal Town Councillors when Cllr Barbara Murray revealed that a severe reduction in care was impending at Youghal Community Hospital.

The councillor said that staffing shortages at the hospital were set to severely affect front line services. She revealed that five nurses who had left, for various reasons, over the past two years, while two longstanding care attendants will be retiring within weeks. Their replacements are to be taken from a HSE redeployment scheme.

However, to date nobody had applied for the positions. Consequently, the hospital faces having to close St. Coran’s ward, which was refurbished with local funding and has been open less than two years. “This ward has four respite beds which are in constant use by families from Youghal and throughout eat Cork,” she said. “It is often the only place that families can use and know that their loved ones are being well cared for in their local area. It seems our elderly will suffer that a policy made by armchair travelers can be maintained.”

Cllr Murray added that three continuing care beds are also at risk, while all podiatry services are now based in Midleton. “Youghal once had four visits a month, then two days a month and now the service is gone completely,” she said angrily. The councilor said she has a Motion down for the next HSE meeting calling for local matrons to hire own staff in the event of redeployment not being taken up.