Gay Mitchell, Fine Gael Presidential Candidate and MEP visited Youghal today (Friday, 22nd July) as part of his presidential election campaign.  He arrived at the Clock Gate on Youghal’s Main Street at 11.30am.  David Stanton, Fine Gael TD for Cork East said he was delighted with the turnout and the very warm welcome Gay Mitchell received from the people of Youghal.  

Gay strolled along the main street where he met many of the shoppers who wished him well on the campaign. Accompanied by local Fine Gael Councillors Barbara Murray and Michael Beecher he also made brief visits to local businesses.  Gay Mitchell was selected as Fine Gael’s presidential election candidate at a recent convention of Fine Gael public representatives in Dublin.  He is currently undertaking a tour of Ireland to meet with voters as part of his election campaign. Earlier in the morning Gay Mitchell visited Midleton and following the Youghal visit travelled to Dungarvan.

 

“The River Blackwater- Life and Lodgings” is a brand new 5 part Documentary which will be aired on Community Radio Youghal starting this Sunday the 24th of July 2011 at 1pm and will run until Sunday the 21st of August.

The 5 part series follows the three man crew of Tony Gallagher, Kieran Heffernan and Frank Mills on board the boat  “Maeve” as they leave Youghal Harbour and make their way towards  Cappoquin in Co Waterford stopping off on the way to visit the Historical Houses and famous landmarks that inhabit the  banks of this beautiful unspoilt River which is known as the Irish Rhine. The three man crew also stop on the way to talk to some of the families that have fished this great river and call the banks of the River home. The Documentary is funded by The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) under the Sound and Vision scheme.

 

YOUGHAL has received rare good news on the economic front with an Aldi store forming part of two planning applications lodged this month for developments at the old Seafield Technical Textiles Ltd site. Both applications are being made by Seafield Partnership, understood to be a consortium of local investors.

Seafield Textiles closed in 2005, ending decades of textile making at the premises. It stands at the Cork exit from the town and adjacent to Perks amusements arcade, which itself occupies a premises that was formerly Blackwater Cottons.

The site is intended for development in two distinct areas and which are the subject of separate planning applications. The larger part of the site comprises 20.46 acres and fronts onto the upper Strand. This is to be developed as a discount retail store (Aldi), three single-storey retail units of 934 sq. metres and a single-storey fast food outlet with drive-through facility of 285 sq. metres.

The rest of the site- to the rear of this retail development- is to be developed as five commercial units, with a car park totalling 215 (including eight disabled) spaces along with three bicycle parking racks of six spaces each in three different locations.

The proposed development includes the widening of the entrance to a public roadway that traverses the site from the R634 to a new council housing estate in the area.  The existing factory building will be demolished with part façade retention and demolition also of a single dwelling to the east of the factory entrance gate and replacement with a mixed commercial development.

The existing access from the upper Strand to the former factory will be widened and resurfaced and a second access will utilise the existing public local authority road leading to the adjacent housing estate along the eastern side boundary, which is to be upgraded and widened from 5.6 metres to 7.5 metres.

Aldi’s arrival would raise Youghal’s supermarket numbers to four, with Supervalu near the town centre and Lidl and Tesco at the Waterford exit.

Youghal Town Clerk Liam Ryan said the application was particularly good news in the present times. Cllr Sammy Revins said it would help revitalise the strand area, where “you can’t even by a cup of coffee” and where Cork County Council does not even entertain a casual trading licence for its beach at Claycastle.

The plans are undergoing public consultation until Monday August 8th.

 

The campaign to save Youghal ambulance continues to expand with a public meeting scheduled for the Walter Raleigh on Wednesday July 27th. Local, regional and national politicians can be expected to attend, while it is as yet unclear whether any HSE representatives have been invited or will attend.

The decision to replace the Youghal service with a response car has infuriated the general public, with over 1,400 online names thus far amassed on a petition running on Facebook’s Save Youghal Ambulance page. Thousands of signatures have also been collected across various shop and street petitions, with one campaigner alone having gathered over 800 names.

COMHALTAS CRAOBH EOCHAILLE has received €30,000 from Cork County Council’s Community Grant Scheme. The award follows an application for €100,000 over three years and while it remains unknown whether further funding will be forthcoming, Comhaltas chairman Micheál De Buitléir is delighted with this year’s success. “It’s very welcome and I like to think it reflects the county council’s confidence in us and our contribution to culture and tourism in the county,” he says. Mr De Buitléir says the money will contribute towards the organisation’s planned extension to its Brú na Sí headquarters at Magner’s Hill. The development is intended to augment training and education facilities at the centre.

The grant allocation comes amidst a hectic period for Comhaltas Craobh Eochaille. A recently week’s schedule included Brú na Sí performances on Monday and Thursday nights, along with a gig in the Commodore hotel Cobh on Wednesday, a further outing at the Radisson Hotel, Little Island on Friday, followed by participation in the annual Munster Fleadh Cheoil in Ballincollig on Saturday and Sunday.

The Taoiseach’s speech to the Dáil on the Cloyne report

I move the motion.

The revelations of the Cloyne report have brought the Government, Irish  Catholics and the Vatican to an unprecedented juncture.

It’s fair to say that after the Ryan and Murphy Reports Ireland is, perhaps, unshockable when it comes to the abuse of children.

But Cloyne has proved to be of a different order.

Because for the first time in Ireland, a report into child sexual-abuse exposes an attempt by the Holy See, to frustrate an Inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic…as little as three years ago, not three decades ago.

And in doing so, the Cloyne Report excavates the dysfunction, disconnection, elitism….the narcissism …….that dominate the culture of the Vatican to this day.

The rape and torture of children were downplayed or ‘managed’ to uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its power, standing and ‘reputation’.

Far from listening to evidence of humiliation and betrayal with St Benedict’s “ear of the heart”……the Vatican’s reaction was to parse and analyse it with the gimlet eye of a canon lawyer.

This calculated, withering position being the polar opposite of the radicalism, humility and compassion upon which the Roman Church was founded.

The radicalism, humility and compassion which are the very essence of its foundation and purpose.

The behaviour being a case of Roma locuta est: causa finita est.

Except in this instance, nothing could be further from the truth.

Victims
Cloyne’s revelations are heart-breaking. It describes how many victims continued to live in the small towns and parishes in which they were reared and in which they were abused… Their abuser often still in the area and still held in high regard by their families and the community. The abusers continued to officiate at family weddings and funerals… In one case, the abuser even officiated at the victim’s own wedding…

There is little I or anyone else in this House can say to comfort that victim or others, however much we want to. But we can and do recognise the bravery of all of the victims who told their stories to the Commission.

While it will take a long time for Cloyne to recover from the horrors uncovered, it could take the victims and their families a lifetime to pick up the pieces of their shattered existence.

Papal Nuncio
A day post-publication, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade met with the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza.

The Tánaiste left the Archbishop clear on two things: The gravity of the actions and attitude of the Holy See. And Ireland’s complete rejection and abhorrence of same.

The Papal Nuncio undertook to present the Cloyne Report to the Vatican.

The Government awaits the considered response of the Holy See.

I believe that the Irish people, including the very many faithful Catholics who – like me – have been shocked and dismayed by the repeated failings of Church authorities to face up to what is required, deserve and require confirmation from the Vatican that they do accept, endorse and require compliance by all Church authorities here with, the obligations to report all cases of suspected abuse, whether current or historical, to the
State’s authorities in line with the Children First National Guidance which will have the force of law.

Clericalism
Clericalism has rendered some of Ireland’s brightest, most privileged and powerful men, either unwilling or unable to address the horrors cited in the Ryan and Murphy Reports. This Roman Clericalism must be devastating for good priests…. some of them old… others struggling to keep their humanity….even their sanity……..as they work so hard…..to be the keepers of the Church’s light and goodness within their parishes…… communities… the human
heart.

Church & State
But thankfully for them, and for us, this is not Rome. Nor is it industrial-school or Magdalene Ireland, where the swish of a soutane smothered conscience and humanity and the swing of a thurible ruled the Irish-Catholic world.
This is the ‘Republic’ of Ireland 2011.

A Republic of laws…..of rights and responsibilities….of proper civic order….. where the delinquency and arrogance of a particular version….. of a particular kind of ‘morality’….. will no longer be tolerated or ignored.

As a practising Catholic, I don’t say any of this easily. Growing up, many of us in here learned we were part of a pilgrim Church.

Today, that Church needs to be a penitent Church. A church, truly and deeply penitent for the horrors it perpetrated, hid and denied.

In the name of God. But for the good of the institution.

When I say that through our legislation….. through our Government’s action to put Children First…….those who have been abused can take some small comfort in knowing that they belong to a nation…..to a democracy where humanity, power, rights, responsibility, are enshrined and enacted …..always….always…. for their good.

Where the law – their law – as citizens of this country, will always supercede canon laws that have neither legitimacy nor place in the affairs of this country.

State/Society
This report tells us a tale of a frankly brazen disregard for protecting children. If we do not respond swiftly and appropriately as a State, we will have to prepare ourselves for more reports like this.

I agree with Archbishop Martin that the Church needs to publish any other and all other reports like this as soon as possible.

I must note the Commission is very positive about the work of the National Board for Safeguarding Children, established by the Church to oversee the operation by Dioceses and religious orders. The Commission notes that
all Church authorities were required to sign a contract with the National Board agreeing to implement the relevant standards and that those refusing to sign would be named in the Board’s Annual Report. Progress has been in no small measure to the commitment of Ian Elliott and others.

There is some small comfort to be drawn by the people of Cloyne from the fact that the Commission is complimentary of the efforts made by the Diocese since 2008, in training, in vetting personnel and in the risk
management of Priests against whom allegations have been made. Nevertheless, the behaviour of Bishop Magee and Monsignor O’Callaghan show how fragile even good standards and policies are to the weakness and willful disregard of those who fail to give the right priority to safeguarding our children.

But if the Vatican needs to get its house in order, so does this State.

The Report of the Commission is rightly critical of the entirely unsatisfactory position which the last Government allowed to persist over many years. The unseemly bickering between the Minister for Children and the HSE over the statutory powers to deal with extra-familial abuse, the failure to produce legislation to enable the exchange of soft information as promised after the Ferns Enquiry, and the long period of confusion and disjointed responsibility for child protection within the HSE, as reported by the Commission, are simply not acceptable in a society which values
children and their safety.

For too long Ireland has neglected its children.

Just last week we saw a case of the torture of children, within the family, come before the courts. Just two days ago, we were repulsed by the case of a Donegal registered sex offender…and school caretaker…

Children and young adults reduced to human wreckage. Raising questions and issues of serious import for State agencies.

We are set to embark on a course of action to ensure the State is doing all it can to safeguard our children.

Minister Shatter is bringing forward two pieces of legislation – firstly, to make it an offence to withhold information relating to crimes against children and vulnerable adults; and secondly, at long last, to allow for the exchange of ‘soft information’ on abusers.

As Taoiseach, I want to do all I can to protect the sacred space of childhood and to restore its innocence.

Especially our young teenagers, whom I believe to be children. Because regardless of our current economic crisis, the children of this country are, and always will be, our most precious possession of all.

Safeguarding their integrity and innocence must be a national priority. This is why I undertook to create a Cabinet ministry for Children and Youth Affairs.

The legislation ‘Children First’ proposes to give our children maximum protection and security without intruding on the hectic, magical business of being a child.

Conclusion
Cardinal Josef Ratzinger said “Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church.”

As the Holy See prepares its considered response to the Cloyne Report, as Taoiseach, I am making it absolutely clear, that when it comes to the protection of the children of this State, the standards of conduct which
the Church deems appropriate to itself, cannot and will not, be applied to the workings of democracy and civil society in this republic.

Not purely, or simply or otherwise.

CHILDREN…. FIRST.

The public meeting, at the Red Store, began with brief reflection on the successful Gold Label Youghal Bay Fish Pie competition and the Teddy Bears Picnic the previous weekend. Special recognition was afforded to Norman McDonald, Paula Tutty, Cliff Winser and Frank Murphy for their hard work. Congratulations were extended to Team Youghal for their fundraising cycle across America for the Emer Casey Foundation. Chairman Jim Flanagan said a week previous, in the Consulate General’s office in New York, the foundation had been established as a registered charity in the USA.

Norman McDonald thanked a plethora of contributors to the previous weekend’s events. While there are too many to mention, it is worth noting that fisherman Kevin Murphy had remained awake following his return from Greece to moor a boat for promotional photographs for the fish pie contest at 7 pm.

In an innovative turn, eight year-old Orla Curtain read a brief tribute to the Teddy Bears Picnic, recounting to much applause her experience and her appreciation of the event.

Treasurer’s Report:

Secretary Adrian Hyde said expenditure on insurance ad been €265, outlay related to the fish pie venture was €312.00 and outgoings on the Teddy Bears Picnic had been just €30.05. Various donations had left a closing balance of €134.91. Chairman Jim Flanagan said the group was “not about funding,” though it may be a requirement and “donations are always welcome.”

Proposed Future Events:

A Halloween Festival:

The idea is to develop a unique, family fun occasion with the accent on promoting Youghal’s history.  Associated ideas include traders donning appropriate and provided costumes, window displays, characters in fancy dress and a ‘headless’ horseman to ride spontaneously and unannounced through the town. Volunteer carpenters were being sought to make replica stocks and suchlike for display at the Market Square. Pubs would be encouraged to host Halloween themed events. There would be Youghal tours featuring characters and events from Youghal’s past, such as Cromwell, alleged 17th century witch Florence Newton, Clock Gate hangings etc. It was hoped a sub-committee would soon evolve to er, execute some if not all of these ideas.

Diving Rocks/49 steps:

Mr. Hyde said carpenter Jerry Dennehy was awaiting permission and materials to conduct approved renovations to see the area re-opened. A submission to that effect had been made to the town council. Most of the work centred on warning and advisory signage along with railings and repairs to several steps. It was hoped that the both town and county councils would respond positively to enable the work to commence this month.

Themed Christmas:

This was mooted by Ann Marie Power who envisaged rejuvenating trade and atmosphere with an old fashioned “Charles Dickens” type Christmas. Relevant dress wear would be provided to traders and windows adorned appropriately, much carol singing would ensue amidst lanterns and costumed characters. Special ‘Shopping  in Youghal’ shopping bags would be produced to promote trade. It was reported that traders had already reacted positively to the novel concept and also that advances had been made in sourcing costumes. There was a belief that the event would entice locals to shop locally, spark media interest and attract visitors. It was decided to circulate the idea in writing amongst local businesses.

Current Campaigns

Dog Litter:

In the absence of chief motivator Suzanne Cotter, the secretary spoke on the issue. He said information leaflets from Cork County Council’s veterinary department were being distributed and posters were being circulated to businesses. Dog litter bags were being made available in several retail outlets.  The town council were going to erect relevant signage across the town and strand, including notice of potential fines. Mr Hyde reiterated that dog litter and tourism just do not mix well!

Community Bus –Volunteer Needed:

Tony Phelan of the community bus group addressed the room. He said the service runs Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm, conveying the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable citizens to and from their doorstep and town centre. Although free, a voluntary donation –usually amounting to €2- is generally contributed. The service had commenced in 2010 with a SECAD grant of €4,500 and a contracted bus. This bus had now been replaced by the group’s own vehicle, which had been donated free from a senior citizens group in Knocknaheeny. The HSE helped with servicing costs and FAS provided a driver for 9½ hours. So popular was the service that it was now hoped to expand it.

To this effect, the group required either sponsorship or -more likely- voluntary help, most immediately a driver companion to assist with small chores such as carrying shopping, etc . Additionally, an extra driver (with C1 licence) was needed because it would cost €12 to pay a replacement for an unwell or unavailable driver.

Any Other Business:

Items raised included a request for voluntary stewards to assist the Queen of the Sea festival; a ‘clean up your area’ weekend before the end of August; removal of the weeds from the Mall (since conducted).

Feargal Quinn:

There was some discourse on Youghal’s application for the RTE television series on town regeneration, which apparently was first instigated by members of the YCC. For details on this initiative see the Youghal Town Council report elsewhere in this issue.

No to toxic sludge:

Local artist and business woman Eileen McGoldrick spoke, with emotion and dismay on the plans of Eros Eco to accept hazardous/toxic waste at its plant in Foxhole. She said it was “sad that we are sitting here feeling positive and trading ideas to promote Youghal as a family resort rich in history and heritage,” while Cork County Council intended to send such waste to the town. “I feel really, really angry about it,” she reminded. “It’s appalling.”  She urged a strong fight against the proposal and to assist objectors such as the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism in any way possible, including signing petitions and other protests. “We owe it to our children,” she concluded. It was agreed to circulate the petition to willing business outlets and to consult the Chamber for an update on their course of resistance. It was also agreed to typify resistance with a counter proposal that toxic waste be “treated at source” and not transported to Youghal.

Tour Buses:

Norman McDonald said that since he and Cliff Winser had begun greeting tourist buses at the Market Square, some operators had increased their stopover times from 30 minutes to three hours. “Sometimes you meet an area manager instead of a courier and that’s when a big change can occur,” he informed, adding that many tourists “are delighted to be met personally and told about the town.” The ultimate objective was to “foster good relationships” with companies and encourage them to include Youghal prominently in next season’s itinerary, as well as to instill in visitors a wish to return to the town. He said one company –Trafalgar- was proving difficult to persuade to stay longer in the town but efforts would continue. They were also hoping to entice a portion of the 3,000 passengers who would be embarking on coach tours from a cruise liner visiting Cobh on July 24th to come to Youghal. The man knows no boundaries….

Taxis –oh dear!

Nearer to home –but not near enough- Youghal’s pay-per-head taxi service was reportedly infuriating some tourists based outside town, particularly at the Quality Hotel. A speaker from the floor said a group of visitors from Fermanagh relaxing in the Nook had criticised the ‘per head’ fares levied from the hotel to the town and back.

There was general acceptance that the situation evoked repeated complaints. While accepting that it was not the YCC’s role or intention to dictate to private enterprises, it remained inescapable that there was widespread concern amongst tourists and tourist interests at the costs and system being operated.

It was clarified that while PSV offices in Cork oversaw the operations of Youghal taxis, it could not interfere in fare arrangements. It was also stated that while Youghal taxi representatives had privately made known their displeasure following a previous airing of concerns, at the same they declined an invitation to present their argument at a public meeting and indeed, seemed unwilling to negotiate or discuss the issue with anyone at all.

In the absence of a metered taxi service it is difficult to see how fares allegedly of up to €10 per person one way to travel three miles, will cease to co-exist with the €17 euros return to Cork on Bus Eireann! One man in attendance said he would attempt propose to the Quality Hotel and Youghal tourism an initiative that might offer an alternative means of transport.  “It’s a longshot though,” he admitted.

The next public meeting of Youghal Concerned Citizens is on Thursday, 4th August at 7 pm upstairs in the Red Store.

Councillors in attendance were Mayor Eoin Coyne (FF), Barbara Murray (FG), Michelle Hennessy (SF), Liam Burke (Greens), Sammy Revins (FF) and Mary Linehan-Foley (FF).

The meeting was preceded by an address to the chamber from Youghal ambulance paramedic Pat McCarthy, outlining details and concerns regarding the proposed replacement of the Youghal ambulance service with a paramedic car.

Meanwhile the chamber sat in diminished numbers, due to the absence three councillors, ill health accounting for the absence of Cllrs Tommy O’Connell (Lab)and Eoin Flanagan(SF) and a delay at Heathrow airport responsible Cllr Michael Beecher (FG)being unable to attend.

Town Clerk’s Report:

Town Clerk Liam Ryan circulated a detailed application for inclusion in an upcoming six-part television series being produced by Amino TV for RTE 1. The show is searching for a town “with ideas” for regeneration and for which entrepreneur Feargal Quinn “is willing provide experts and resources to help its citizens make their town a better place.” The chosen town will be “serve as a microcosm of what is possible throughout the rest of the country as old habits are thrown out and new ideas are fostered and encouraged.” The application, compiled in conjunction with the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, profiles Youghal from various perspectives, including its many natural and man-made attractions, its difficulties in terms of employment, media depiction and business confidence, its untapped tourism potential, various community organisations, training schemes, emerging groups and initiatives, festivals and so on. The application was widely appreciated and the town awaits the result of the selection committee, probably in August or early September.

Congratulations:

Cllr Linehan Foley congratulated Team Youghal on its 3,000 trans-America cycle on behalf of the Emer Casey Foundation, saying, “They did the town proud.” The councillor also lauded St Raphael’s for their wonderful open day that weekend and for their excellent year generally. Cllr Hennessy praised Youghal GAA for its recent Féile, remarking that visitors were amazed at the excellent organisation and selfless efforts of volunteers involved, some of whom took time off work to participate. Mayor Coyne congratulated Bill Cooper on becoming the first Youghal player in ten years to represent Cork at senior hurling level.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Burke asked that the potholes in Nealon’s Quay be filled.  Cllr Hennessy said the graveyard was generally looking well but that paint was needed at the entrance and at the rear of the site. She also wanted the slipway and steps at Harvey’s Docks cleaned and repaired respectively, while some concrete blocks that had fallen at the Gaol Steps junction with Ashe Street needed to be removed. Mayor Coyne asked that benches at the 49 steps, which were being underused, be relocated “possibly to the graveyard.”

Cork County Council Items:

Cllr Linehan Foley said the road near Copperally was “a disaster zone,” with a wall about to collapse, possibly “on some child.” She expressed thanks for the repair of the “40,000 potholes” in the same area. The councillor referred to a tyre-damaging lump adjoining the road and footpath at Dr. Kennedy’s Place. Town engineer Paul Murray said he would have it removed but that it was caused by a contractor who had conducted drainage work and he felt it was really the property owner’s responsibility.  Cllr Linehan-Foley said the owner had facilitated the council when it was draining the adjacent cemetery and felt a bit of concrete to smooth the rough would be inexpensive and appropriate on the council’s behalf. She also recalled a time when contractors had been on site undertaking other work, whence she had been assured by Cork County Council representative Jack McCarthy that the issue would be addressed. Months later, nothing had transpired.

Toxic waste

Cllr Linehan Foley sought clarification on the Eros Eco sludge treatment plant’s efforts to accept hazardous waste. She had –along with her council colleagues- received an e-mail from “a very concerned citizen” in regard to same. Cllr Murray explained that Cork County Council had granted to company permission to accept hazardous/toxic waste (from such locations as Ringaskiddy and Little Island pharmaceutical plants.) She believed there had been only one observation (objection) made to the application and that had come from the Youghal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. That same organisation was now appealing the subsequent planning permission to An Bord Pleanála, with the outcome awaited. The town council wanted the public be informed that it had no “hand, act or part to play” in the planning process. (Youghal Town Council, being a relative subsidiary of Cork County Council, would also have been unable to submit an objection to the original planning application.)

Cllr Murray added that when the original tenants on the site, AVR Solutions, received the initial planning permission for the plant, the Chamber spent €9,000 appealing that also. “The Bord went against the report of its own inspectors and dismissed the appeal,” she informed. The town clerk said the licence to run the service would have to be acquired from the EPA. Thus that body would ultimately decide whether the trucks bearing toxic waste would be travelling to Youghal.

Potholes, drains, litter….

Cllr Revins drew attention to two “craters”, at the top of the ESB lane and at the rear end of Brown Street. He too thanked the engineer for the Copperally pothole removals. Cllr Burke was grateful that the drainage pipe at the front strand had been extended –after some seven years of campaigning for it. He repeated his regular requests for remedial action on the footpaths at Tallow Street, South Main Street and the junction of South Abbey and Strand Street.

Cllr Murray said that as the height restrictor at Claycastle car park had once again been damaged, it was time to place an earlier, more noticeable and more effective advance warning sign on the approach to it. The councillor wondered if the mobile CCTV used to combat illegal dumping could also be employed at the Claycastle. Meanwhile, she said birds were “actually going into the bins” and extracting litter” there and she wondered if some sort of wire mesh could be placed on the bins o counteract this. Cllr Murray also asked that a section of road at Ballyvergan be “reinstated” to address flooding arising from some drainage works carried out a year ago by a developer. The engineer said the issue now involved the (ironically-termed) liquidator. However,  a bond remained and he would make inquiries.

Boy rackets….and girl victims

Mayor Coyne said so-called ‘boy racers’ were “terrorising people in the vicinity of Claycastle on a nightly basis, with locals and tourists in the nearby caravan parks being particularly disturbed. Cllr Revins asked that a motion he had tabled some time ago to erect gates or barriers at the entrance to the car park be revisited. However the town clerk –supported by Cllr Linehan Foley- said that closing the area at night amounted merely to moving the problem elsewhere. Cllr Revins proceeded that it was “a traffic problem” and that the council “should be calling on the traffic corp to do their job.” He asked whether the legislation to combat noise pollution from modified cars actually existed or was being utilised. “There’s nothing being done,” he continued. “These guys are terrorising people, while if you drive out the road and pass the speed limit, you get two penalty points. It’s ridiculous.” He said the drivers were on school holidays and their “mammies and daddies” were unaware of their behaviour.  Town Manager Patricia Power suggested the matter be raised at the bi-annually Joint Policing Committee, next September. Cllr Revins countered that the summer would by then be gone, as would the tourists in the caravans, who might well decide to stay away. Besides, he argued the gardai are already well aware of the problem.

Extending the discussion, Cllr Murray said she had met two girls, probably aged about 15, on the beach earlier that morning. One had a swollen lip and both were seeking money to get back to Cork. They said they had been attacked the night previous in the course of trouble for which the gardai had arrived. Cllr Murray allowed the girls to use her phone to contact a friend for assistance. It emerged that about 30 young people had travelled by bus to the beach for a drinking session the evening before. “Something happened and these two girls were wandering the beach at 8 am having been out all night,” she concluded. “Where their parents?” pondered Cllr Linehan Foley.

Planning Applications Received:

Cllr Linehan-Foley asked for details on two planning applications now lodged by Seafield Partnerships for a proposed development on the old Seafield Fabrics building. The applications are in respect of an Aldi store, a seated restaurant and a drive-through area. Additionally planning permission is being sought for a five-unit ‘neighbourhood centre.’ (See elsewhere in this issue for further details.) Welcoming the applications, the town clerk said that “from a retail perspective, the town cannot stand still.” Cllr Revins said the plans promised to revitalise the strand area, where visitors were complaining that acquiring even a cup of coffee was proving difficult! He urged that CIE hand over their strand property (the neglected eyesore that is the old railway station) to the town council to help regenerate the area for tourism. Cllr Linehan-Foley fervently hoped that nothing would stop the proposed development.

Traffic Management Plan Church Street, De Valera Street, Ashe Street and Emmet Place:

It was agreed to invite submissions by placing the Plan for public consultation. In basic terms the four options being presented are as follows:

1: Church Street to have local access, with no through road, Ashe street two-way and De Valera Street one-way from North Main Street to Ashe Street.

2: Traffic calming measures on both DeValera Street and Church Street while though traffic on both routes.

3: Restrict access to Hayman’s Hill from Friar Street by implementing a one-way system from Windmill Hill to Friar Street (translates as no through traffic Hayman’s Hill to Ashe Street).

4: Leave the situation as is.

It is hoped that following public submissions, a consensus will be reached on a plan that can be implemented on a trial basis to resolve this long-running saga.

Taking in charge procedure for Cnoc Aoibhinn, Youghal, Co. Cork including Public Road Motion: “That the road at Cnoc Aoibhinn, Youghal. Co. Cork length 209 linear metres be declared a public road, due consideration having been given to the financial implications of same:” This was adopted unanimously.

Taking in charge of Hillcrest, Cork Hill, Youghal: This too was passed unanimously.

Proposed Heritage Asset Management Plan for St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Emmet Place, Youghal, Co. Cork: Similarly agreed.

Motion in the name of Cllr. Murray seconded by Cllr. Beecher:

‘Youghal Town Council to conduct a harbour audit with a view to maximizing the potential of the harbour for sea faring visitors. The audit should address issues such as visitors’ moorings, landing, launching, dock area usage and ancillary services.’

In the absence of Cllr Beecher, Cllr Murray spoke on the motion. She said most seafarers were using the Almanac berthing system and were having difficulty landing at Youghal. “I think it’s very important that we know what we have, utilise it properly and put some order on the harbour,” she advised. The councillor said she had spoken to harbour users and that most would not have a problem with moving moorings to implement a better outlay. This was particularly relevant in regard to Youghal eventually acquiring a marina, added Cllr Murray. The motion was adopted.

Motion in the name of Cllr. Hennessy and seconded by Cllr. Flanagan:

(a) ‘To call on the Minister for Health not to replace Ambulance vehicles with First Responders cars in the East Cork Area’.

(b) To call on the Minister for Health not to reduce the Southdoc GP out of hours service from 3 to 2 doctors covering the East Cork area’.

Cllr Hennessy said any reduction in the quality of the ambulance service in the east Cork area would “definitely cost lives” and that the ‘golden hour’ survival time must be fully considered, especially in relation to cardiac emergencies. She urged the government to invest in the training of emergency medical technicians to meet “increasingly complex” medical issues.

The councillor also argued that the Southdoc GP service was “absolutely vital” for the delivery of 24/7 primary care. She referred to Health Minister James Reilly’s advocacy of primary care towards the reduction of patient numbers in overcrowded emergency wards. The as yet unconfirmed rumour of a reduced Southdoc service was “in total contradiction to the government’s stated health plan,” she noted, adding that only three cars presently served the area.

Cllr Revins said he recently experienced a two hour delay in a Southdoc response to a call. He urged that the motion be circulated to other town councils and to Cork County Council. The councillor reflected that Youghal Town Council had supported the implementation of Southdoc “but here it is being cut back.”  Cllr Linehan-Foley recalled assurances that there would be no reduction in service quality.

The town clerk said frontline services in relation to the HSE, gardai and local authorities were now being hit. “The cut backs are being made at the wrong end of the equation,” he stated, “and need to be made more strategically within the departments instead of on frontline services,” which is hurting communities. “It’s being incorrectly dealt with and will get worse,” he concluded.

Cllr Murray urged that an analysis of Southdoc’s services in terms of area covered and car usage be sought. The meeting turned full circle as discussion moved towards the propose reduction in ambulance service. Cllr Burke suggested that, as government policy was instigating the frontline cutback, a Dáil Motion “aimed at maintaining ambulance coverage” should be moved through Deputy Sandra McLellan. It was felt that this would also help gauge support from other constituency TDs. This was agreed.

Youghal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is to conduct a survey of all vacant commercial properties in the town with a view to re-letting properties at 50% rent reduction for two years to first time businesses. In return, the town council will apply an equivocal rates reduction to the properties, via a waiver initiative depending on the town manager’s discretion.

The move, aimed at kick-starting commerce, arises from a motion tabled by Labour Councillor Tommy O’Connell last April. Cllr O’Connell’s proposal relates to properties vacant for two years or more.

The Chamber and Youghal Town Council discussed the issue at a special meeting following July’s town council sitting.  Chamber President Mary O’Donnell says the discussions were “very positive,” with both sides determined to co-operate on initiatives to improve the town’s fortunes.

The meeting saw the Chamber undertake to conduct a two-tier survey to gauge how many large and small properties lie idle. “We can’t impose on owners but we will inform them of the initiative and consider their responses,” says Ms O’Donnell. She concedes that some properties may be in the hands of financial institutions an in such instances “may complicate matters a little.”

Town clerk Liam Ryan will convey the data to the Cork Enterprise Board and seek suggestions on how to set about occupying the properties given the proposed arrangements. A second Chamber/Council meeting is scheduled for September.

Great short films and the Best young filmmakers!

We are now accepting submissions for the 2011 First Cut! Youth Film Festival.Our deadline is August 26th,2011. First Cut! announces plans for this years festival with some exciting changes in store.

For a start we would now like to offer an opportunity to young filmmakers to showcase their work at our festival on October 1st and 2nd. We are inviting young people under the age of 21 to enter their short films.
The Festival takes place this year over two days in Glanmire, Co Cork . In previous years the focus has been on premiering the films made by young people who are involved in The First Cut! Film Project.
In response to the interest from young people from outside the Cork Harbour region in 2011, although the festival will continue to have a focus on local talent, we now welcome film from outside this area, nationally and even internationally!
What are we looking for?
This year First Cut! is looking for short films of any genre; drama, documentary, comedy, animation, music video, sci fi / horror, artistic/experimental, made by local, national and international young filmmakers under 21.
Submission Deadline: Noon on Friday August 26th, 2011. No Entry Fee! Send your film on a DVD, highest quality possible please!
Post Entries to: First Cut! Youth Film Festival, c/o Cork Film Centre, Civic Trust House, Pope’s Quay, Cork.
More Information: contact Mary Mc Grath 0868139019/ e mail firstcutfilm@gmail.com

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