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.

The chamber welcomed the overdue arrival of Labour councillor Tommy O’Connell, whose party had finally ratified his co-option in place of Cllr Donie Daly. The councillor accepted the mayor’s welcome with a smile and without words.

Town Clerk Lam Ryan delivered the third -and final- section of his statistical report on Youghal. Following on his reports on population and employment, the concluding portion dealt with the town’s education infrastructure. See elsewhere in this issue for a synopsis.

Votes of Congratulations:

Cllr Sammy Revins congratulated Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley and deputy mayor Eoin Coyne on the council’s inaugural community awards night of the previous weekend. Cllr Coyne paid tribute to Youghal lifeboat for a recent rescue mission successfully concluded of Whiting Bay. Cllr Sandra Hennessy congratulated Pobalscoil student Cliodhana Cotter on finishing first nationally in the Leaving Cert geography exam, ahead of 26,000 peers.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Liam Burke noted there two street lights nos. 2 & needed replacing at Strathan na Sali, potholes needed tending at Knockaverry and that the old railway station signal cabin repairs had not yet commenced.

Cllr Coyne said a light needed replacing at the top of the Jail Steps. He asked for an update regarding the second report on the closed diving rocks area, which was to have been conducted last May (and promised for last July’s meeting!) The town clerk said he was seeking information on same.

Cllr Michelle Hennessy was concerned over the road condition at the end of Cork Hill.

Cllr Michael Beecher asked when the contactor was going to complete the refurbishment of a house in Blackwater heights, into which a large family was waiting to move.  He also asked that some trees in Chestnut Drive be pruned.

Cllr Barbara Murray said the council needed to be “extremely conscious,” especially on behalf of older council tenants, that a system of storage heating in its housing system was being compounded by “inadequate insulation.”

Cork County Council Items:

Town engineer Paul Murray offered the following report on matters arising from January’s meeting:

The potholes at Ballyvergan had been reported to the county council’s Estates Department as a result of the poor state of the road. He said the developer was pricing the repair work as well as addressing other issues in the private estate. Mr Murray said the footpath replacements at Catherine Street and Grattan Street were completed. The outfall pipe at the front strand was being checked and cleared almost daily, while a short extension was being proposed.  The engineer said potholes around town are being treated, sections of the Quarry road and Golf Links Road are soon to be resurfaced, Cork County Council had filled in Tallow Road potholes in their jurisdiction, with the entire section to be resurfaced later in 2011. Mr Murray proceeded that funding had been had been secured for the resurfacing of the main street form Windmill Hill to Cork Hill and a concealed entrance sign is shortly to be erected at Summerdale Lawn.

Main Street resurfacing

The town clerk added that funding acquired from the Department of Environment for the relaying of the main street amounted to €300,000. The work is scheduled to commence in autumn and be finished by Christmas. He thanked the town manager Patricia Power and the engineers from Cork County Council whose submissions secured the money from the government.

Cllr Sammy Revins then referred to the “disgraceful” condition of the road near Copperally and also the bottom of Cork Hill. The town clerk suggested it be raised under the Non-National Roads grant that had also been acquired.

Cllr Liam Burke asked that potholes on North Main Street be filled before once again relating “the usual list of broken footpaths, aka Tallow Street South Main Street and the junction of South Abbey/Strand Street.

Potholes, grit and tarmac

Tommy O’Connell asked why “gravelly grit, with tar” had replaced the traditional tarmac in the treatment of potholes. “It’s sticking to people’s feet and being carried into shops and houses,” he pleaded. The town engineer said there had been no perceptible change in the material used, but that cold mix tarmac had replaced a heated mi, while the cold weather may have affected its adhesive qualities. He would check the specifications nonetheless. Cllr O’Connell alluded to the Mall Lane, citing a large pothole repair that had been rolled yet, an hour later, returned to its vacuous state! Mr Murray said a hot mix would be poured on the afflicted area in due course.

Cllr Michelle Hennessey welcomed Cork County Council’s repairs on the “lethal” Tallow Road but asked that Waterford County Council be asked to follow suit. Mr Murray understood that Waterford County Council was preparing to do so shortly. The town clerk said it would likely be more productive if the members applied pressure on their respective party equivalents on Waterford County Council. Cllr Hennessy said the local council was “getting blamed for it” so she still wanted Youghal and Cork County councils to write to Waterford’s local authority. “It has nothing to do with Youghal Town Council,” clarified the town clerk. Cllr Barbara said she would continue to raise the matter at Cork County Council level and felt sure Cllr Sandra McLellan (who was a little late arriving at the meeting) would do likewise.

Cllr Murray pointed out that scarce funding meant Cork County Council could only treat 1 ½  miles of road, whereas they ideally needed to treat four miles. She felt that Cork and Waterford County Councils should appeal jointly for more government money.

Cllr Beecher expressed concern that the resurfaced main street would be dug up again to accommodate future ducting, including the burial of overhead wires under the Public Realm Plan. The engineer said he would ask all organisations liable to seek ducting to contact him as soon as possible, while also pointing out that ducting is usually administered under footpaths anyway.

Mall Lane

Cllr Beecher echoed Cllr O’Connell’s sentiments regarding the “disgraceful” condition of the Mall Lane.  The town clerk referred to the Non-National Road Grant, as would be addressed later in the meeting and said all councillors could decide if they want to allocate money towards the lane resurfacing from that fund. He reminded that the lane was paved for pedestrian traffic but that the then councillors (many of whom are still in situ) had subsequently re-opened it for vehicular traffic. “You have to decide what you intend to do with the Mall Lane!”, he strongly recommended, “and then provide the funding to do it.” Mr Ryan added that the lane “should be considered a priority” and reflected that its state reflected “political decisions” taken prior to it being re-opened. Cllr O’Connell challenged the chamber to stand at Mall Lane “for one hour” any weekend and experience first-hand the immense volume of traffic. He said it should be re-pedestrianized, with a commitment for appropriate re-surfacing agreed at the meeting.

Cllr Murray interceded that she had been on the council but was “naive” back then and had accepted what she now deemed unacceptable. She said the lane was closed and resurfaced on a sand-based premise, during which it had been “very presumptuous of the town clerk” to think it would never be re-opened again. In 2004 a “political tactic” had done just that, she elaborated, amidst interruptions from Cllr Revins that “the traders” had been political “not the councillors.” She believed the lane should be resurfaced for vehicular traffic and remain open.

Gullies, insult  and funding

Cllr Murray then referred to blocked gullies causing extreme flooding on the approach road to Claycastle car park. She asked if parallel parking could be introduced with the main street resurfacing, as part of the long-term regeneration plan. The councillor said a solitary cone was six months guarding a hole in the road at Clancy’s and a stop sign at McCurtainstown was needed.

Cllr Beecher said a dip in the road near the entrance to SuperValu was causing traffic to swerve, a sewer connection at Tallow Street needed attention, a manhole at Raheen Road remained un-addressed save for the “insult” of a solitary shovel of tar. The town engineer said the contractor had “faithfully promised” to tend to it. The councillor asked when Chapel Lane was to be closed. The town clerk believed it would be discussed at March’s meeting.

Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley welcomed the new footpaths on the back street and asked that a remedy be found for the “crater” at Fitzgerald Terrace, funding notwithstanding. Town Clerk Liam Ryan said ever local authority in the country was “starved of funding” and advised the councillors to relay concerns to the general election candidates.

Manager’s Orders:

The mayor said she was delighted that tree-felling was to be undertaken in the cemetery. Cllr Murray asked whether a bank bond from Churchill Developments could be drawn on foot of their alleged failure to address some issues, including those pertaining to public lighting, at their private estate at Ard na Mara. Mr Ryan said the bond was in place until March 31st. Cllr Murray was also informed that the council intends to demolish the old shop adjacent to the town walls in favour, most likely, of a viewing area.

Mayor’s Business:

Mayor Linehan Foley remarked on the success of the previous weekend’s Community Awards night and thanked deputy mayor Eoin Coyne and council office staff member Geraldine O’Connell for their voluntary contributions. She reminded that nominations are welcome for further recipients at the next ceremony in June. Cllr O’Connell held a mixture of curiosity and scepticism regarding the awards ceremony, asking often would they occur. He said he had avoided the inaugural award night due to the ‘public perception that it was of the nature of a ‘booze session’ and such unsavoury and financially-flippant indulgence The councillor was informed by way of a lengthy monologue from the mayor, that the awards were twice-yearly and brought recognition of the recipients’ contribution to their town and/or community, family, organisation, etc.

Essentially, explained the mayor, the awards provided recognition and appreciation to a wider section of the community while simultaneously signalling the cessation of full-blown civic receptions except for the more exceptional achievers.  Cllr Murray added that there was no boozing and no misappropriation of council funds.

Cllr O’Connell said he was “quite happy” with the enlightenment, although Cllr Revins nonetheless availed of the opportunity to request vehemently that he “look happy, wake up, look to the future and stop nit-picking.” The issue then threatened to nosedive into an acrimonious bout of ‘Fianna Failure versus Labouring’ verbosity between the two men but the mayor quickly disarmed them with a sharp reminder that the chamber would echo only to locally defined matters.

The mayor invited councillors who might be interested in travelling (to France) that the 25th anniversary of the Youghal/Larmor-Plage twinning would be celebrated in June. She said their French counterparts “make it a bigger thing than we do” and would be celebrating it “from June 23rd onwards.” Interested parties were to contact the town clerk.

Gallagher’s Mews and bottle bank blues

Mayor Linehan Foley circulated photographs submitted with a petition from residents at Gallagher’s Mews. The residents want the recycling bins at the adjacent Tesco centre removed, claiming they are attracting illegal dumping that is spilling onto the small estate. The photos showed evidence that a wide variety of vermin-luring waste was being dumped beside and beyond the bins. The mayor said Tesco was doing the town “a big service” and laid the blame firmly on the shoulders of the illegal dumpers. The town clerk said Tesco’s was a private site. Cllr Coyne suggested that, as a resident of the area, he would willingly attempt to co-ordinate a council-Tesco-residents solution to the problem.

Mayor Linehan-Foley praised the organisers of both the senior citizens’ dinner dance and the Walter Raleigh boxing tournament that she had recently attended. She asked that a metal grill on the path near the Bank of Ireland had lifted and posed a threat to pedestrian, having already claimed one victim.

The mayor read from a letter conveyed by the Youghal Community Bus group seeking a donation towards running costs. The letter reminded that the 16-seat bus was providing an increasingly popular service, assisted by a FAS-provided driver and supported by the HSE. The annual running costs were €7,100. The town clerk said there was “absolutely no discretionary funding available from the 2011 budget” and advised they apply for assistance in the 2012 budget. On inquiry from Cllr Revins, he said if another organisation did not claim its allocated funding then the situation might be different in the second part of the year. Hence the request will be reconsidered in October.

2011 Regional & Local Roads Grant Allocations – Department of Transport:

The town clerk said the total allocation was €131.500. The council had spent €26,500 on salting and emergency repairs during the cold weather, plus another €25,000 on patching repairs on roads.  €80,000 was being allocated to repairs on badly deteriorated surfaces at Quarry Road and Golf Links Road. A balance of €63,500 remained. As reported in the last edition of Youghal News, the town council subsequently decided to allocate €30,000 of this sum to resurfacing on the Mall Lane. Mr. Clerk also advised that should the council in due course opt to implement the Traffic Management Plan for the Ashe Street/DeValera Street area then signage costs etc. would need to be met from the same balance.

Cllr O’Connell advocated resurfacing for north end of Allen’s Quay to the double slips, which he said was a popular local and tourist walk “in terrible condition.” The town clerk recommended that the area be considered for the remaining funds after the previously mentioned works were completed. Cllr O’Connell agreed, somewhat reluctantly.

Allocation of Budget 2011 General Fund to Individual Residents Associations and Sporting Groups:

Each of the following residents associations received €300:  Dysart Grove, The Rise, McCurtainstown, Raheen Park, Crestfield, Bayview Grove, Woodview Court, Dermot Hurley Estate, Blackwater Heights, Dun Coran, Hillview, Gallagher’s Mews, Woodland Grove, North Road Residents Assoc., Ard na Mara, Sweetfield Estate, Ridgewood and St. Anne’s Rise.

Contributions to Sporting Associations:

Each of the following received €300: Youghal Pigeon Club, Youghal Bowling Club, Youghal CYMS, Youghal Karate Club, Youghal Badminton Club, Claycastle Pitch & Putt Club.

Taking in Charge Procedure: Gort Aoibhinn, Upper Cork Hill, Youghal.

Motion: “That the Gort Aoibhinn, Upper Cork Hill, Youghal, road of linear length 209 metres be declared a public road, due consideration being given to the financial implications of same.

This motion was proposed by Liam Burke and subsequently adopted.

Motion in the name of Cllr. McLellan seconded by Cllr. Hennessey:

“Calling on Youghal Town Council to take responsibility for all plumbing and electrical works in all their Local Authority Houses and to review and update the tenancy handbook reflecting same:

As reported in the last edition of Youghal News, this issue was debated somewhat contentiously in the chamber, along with the town clerk’s written response to the emotion. The outcome was a decision to amend the Tenancy Handbook 2009 to facilitate what was deemed a more appropriate response from the local authority to such situations as were described.

Correspondence:

Cllr Hennessy, referring to a letter from Michael Twomey as co-producer of the documentary

Town out of Time, said she had never been invited by email (or otherwise) to the public screening of the film last December, as the letter inferred. Consequently, she had not declined by e-mail either. She had received an apology from Mr. Twomey for his error but she remained unhappy that he had not posted such clarification publicly via Youghalonline.com, as he had “been very fast to do” with the letter that indicted her. Cllr Coyne said he was “a bit peeved too” that he had explained he could not attend the screening as he was working but was subsequently also was similarly implicated in the letter. Cllr Murray said she had intended going but was at another function out of town and didn’t get back in time. She said she would still love to see the film or even purchase a copy.

Conferences

Cllr O’Connell queried the attendance of councilors at conferences and the benefits thereof. Cllr Coyne said he would be attending a local authority conference in Louth on economic revival. Cllr O’Connell suggested a discussion on such events be conducted prior to sending a delegate. The mayor said this had been done last year, (the mayor had raised the issue at September’s meeting but discussion was brief and non-contentious) and that “reports are provided.” (It was agreed in September that reports should and would be provided, as against had been). Cllr O’Connell said he had not been on the council at the time of such discussion, to which the mayor responded that she thought his predecessor Cllr Daly “would have filled you in on that one. (This would have been difficult as Cllr Daly officially resigned his seat in August and hadn’t attended a council meeting since the move to Tuesday mornings in April.)  “He didn’t,” replied Cllr O’Connell, adding that “You learn something new every day.”

As the meeting concluded Cllr. O’Connell thanked the town clerk and his staff for their assistance and courtesy during the six-months it took the Labour Party to validate his co-option.

People who know John Mulvihill will tell you that I am passionate about fighting for my area through politics.

When I have worked for change in the past, I have fought tooth and nail for my beliefs and worked across years to get results for East Cork. I have done this effectively in government and in Cork County Council.

We all know that we will soon be rid of this disgraceful government – but that’s not enough. We now have a great chance to change the way our country is run. I believe that the leadership of Eamon Gilmore and the policies of the Labour Party give us the best chance of re-building a great country for future generations.

And in East Cork, I’d like to be your passionate voice, fighting for the needs of the constituency and the good of the country.

So, who you vote for really matters. We now have 50 days to gain an extra seat in East Cork and do what has never been done before – to elect a Labour-led Government. A Government of One Ireland, that is driven by the concerns of the many, not the insider-few.

We are blessed in East Cork to have some great natural assets – from a world-class tourism product, to great farming resources to a proud tradition in industry. We must now get better at using these assets to get our people back to work.

Below are some of the issues that I am passionate about:

* East Cork Tourism – The great beauty of the coastline from Youghal to Cobh and the beautiful towns and countryside throughout the constituency are up with the best in the country. We need to step out of the shadows of other areas and deliver growth in tourism jobs in the area.
* Protecting the Environment in East Cork. I’ve long campaigned against changes that destroy our environment such as pylons. We can work together to work out sensible solutions that allow industry to progress without destroying our environment.
* Infrastructure – Throughout my political life I’ve been fighting for improved access to the area. The government blew the boom and projects such as the Fota road still lie ignored. We need access if we have any hope of growing jobs in tourism and industry.

If you have any issue that you are passionate about, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, email or on twitter and Facebook

Go raibh maith agat

John

FRIENDLY ENCOUNTER FOR POLITICAL RIVALS ON THE HUSTINGS

IT was a case of crossing paths as opposed to political swords for Cork East General Election Candidates Sandra McLellan of Sinn Féin and Labour’s Seán Sherlock who met on the hustings in Mitchelstown this week.

The political rivals, who have always enjoyed a good working relationship, crossed paths at the square as their canvass teams prepared to hit doorsteps in the town and convey the merits of voting 1 for their respective candidates.

“I have always had the utmost respect for Sandra and we maintain a good friendship and working relationship. I wish her the very best in this election. She is a decent person and will certainly be getting a vote from me on the basis that we need more female representatives in Politics,” said Deputy Sherlock.

As for the campaign itself the sitting Labour Party TD said a he was encountering a mix of issues on the doorstep.

“Infrastructure, Housing and Planning issues are all recurring themes at local level while people are equally exercised about the national issues such as jobs, health and education. The public are very disillusioned and angry at the decisions that have taken by the outgoing government which are having effect on people from all walks of life,” said Deputy Sherlock.

He added; “It’s tough to see so many people struggling and feeling that there is no hope. I will do my utmost to effect real change if I am given the opportunity to return and serve in Dáil Eireann.”

Labour General Election Candidate for Cork East Sean Sherlock TD talks to Declan Gibbons.

Click below and listen to Labour General Election Candidate for Cork East Sean Sherlock TD talk to Declan Gibbons on Youghal Local Radio CRY – Audio courtesy of CRY

Sean Sherlock TD – Biography

Constituency:
Cork East

Euro Electoral Region:
Ireland South

Electoral Status:
Sean is currently a sitting TD for Cork East .

Address:
Davis Lane
Mallow
Co. Cork

Tel:
Phone: 022 53523
Fax: 022 57761
087-7402057

Email:
sean.sherlock@oir.ie

Website:
http://seansherlock.ie

Political Career:

* Elected to the Dail, May 2007
* First Co-opted to Mallow Town Council and Cork County Council in September 2003.
* Elected to MTC and CCC June 2004.
* 2004 Mayor of Mallow Town Council.
*

Occupation:

* Full Time Public Representative

Memberships:

* Blackwater Kayaking Club
* Mallow Rugby Club
* County Cork VEC
* Mountaineering Club of Ireland

Other Interests:

* Former Assistant to Proinsias De Rossa MEP

Birth Details:

* 6/12/1972

Education:

* Patrician Academy Mallow
* College of Commerce, Cork
* UCG, BA Economic and Politics

Statement on behalf of the Labour Party – Youghal Branch – 25th January 2011

The Youghal Branch of the Labour party would like to comment on the account of January’s Youghal Town Council meeting as reported by the Youghal News and www.Youghalonline.com

Regarding the absence of a Labour Councillor from recent meetings, we can confirm that the matter will be satisfactorily resolved in the very near future. We were puzzled and somewhat amused by the language used by some members in the discussion on the absence of a Labour Councillor. Our self-esteemed Mayor used the word “undemocratic” while the general view of the meeting was that the lengthy delay in installing a replacement for Donie Daly was “disrespectful” – such fine – sounding words!

Let us refresh our memories!

When the members of the Council voted by 5 – 3 (Linehan- Foley, McLellan, Hennessy, Burke & Coyne for; Murray, Beecher & Revins against) to continue with morning Council Meetings, they did so in the full knowledge that this would preclude Councillor Daly’s attendance at meetings. As has been well documented at this stage, Donie’s job in Limerick meant he could not take time off to attend these meetings.  Some of the comments made by individual councillors explaining their decision to make it impossible for him to attend meetings were petty, spiteful and vindictive. The result of their “democratic” decision is that in future no one who is trying to hold down a 9-5 job, in these difficult times should consider standing for election toYoughal Town Council. Only those who are the masters of their own time (Self-employed, retired or home-workers) need apply. Is this the “democracy” that our exalted Mayor yearns for? What about the 383 people of Youghal that gave Donie Daly their first preference vote in the 2009 elections? Where is the respect for them?  Democracy & Respect are two fine concepts, and it hasn’t been the Labour Party that has besmirched them!

In the past few months, the closure of 3 restaurants, one pub and a number of other retail outlets has continued the downward spiral of recession that has plagued Youghal in recent years. Even the iconic Merricks , has closed its doors for the last time after an incredible 430 years. Against this background it surely behoves all of us, and in particular, those charged with representing the interests of the people of Youghal, to do our utmost to find new strategies for growth and to avoid the mistakes of the past. To this end, an opportunity was presented lately, to do just that, with the showing of Michael Twomeys & Kieran McCarthy’s excellent documentary “A Town out of Time”. This film was a searing indictment of the lack of foresight shown by the politicians and business people of Youghal during the so called ‘boom-years’, which has directly contributed to some of our problems today. The 150 people who attending the screening, while saddened by its content and riveted by its power were utterly amazed that not one single member of the Town Council had seen fit to attend, despite being invited. It seems that our Mayor’s main concern is that in future her gilded invitations should be forwarded direct to her seat of power in town hall, while similarly other councillors are calling for a ‘private’ viewing of the film.

What towering arrogance!

We in the Labour Party would love to see the film being screened again, for all those who, for one reason or another, could not attend the original showing. Councillors, of course, would be as welcome as the rest of us ‘ordinary’ people to attend.

Finally, we would like to point out that a representative of the Youghal Branch of the Labour party attended the showing of the film and our former Councillor Donie Daly featured prominently in it and made, in our view, a substantial contribution to its success.

In conclusion, we would like to reiterate that the people of Youghal will once again have a Labour Party Councillor of substance and integrity to represent their interests on Youghal Town Council.

Related Video: Michael D Higgins making his last speech in the Dail

Youghal’s Labour Councilor, Tommy O’Connell has claimed that Labour Party leader, Eamonn Gilmore is carrying out an investigation following a request from the General Secretary of the party to Youghal Town Clerk, Mr. Liam Ryan last week that Mr. O’Connell’s seat on the council be nullified.

The shock move follows Mr. O’Connell’s nomination and subsequent co-option onto the council seat in the aftermath of Cllr. Donie Daly’s resignation just over a month ago. Confusion reigns over last week’s bizarre event and continues to damage the public relations of the party branch in Youghal.

Further to the revelation that the General Secretary of the Labour Party asked for Mr. O’Connell to be removed, the party’s press office accused the Youghal Council of negligence in the co-opting process.

The news first broke on Tuesday morning when Mr. Ryan informed members at a special meeting to discuss budgets and traffic management that he had been in correspondence with the General Secretary of the Labour Party on Friday evening Oct. 29th. Mr. Ryan told shocked members that the Labour Party said they ‘were not happy with the selection process of Tommy O’Connell’ and that they requested the councilor’s nomination be ‘nullified’. The Town Clerk added that he was asked to reply to the Labour Party by 5pm Monday. Mr. Ryan then contacted Mr. O’Connell and advised him that it would ‘not be appropriate’ for him to come to Tuesday’s special meeting. Before any of the members could respond to the news the Town Clerk advised them that the matter was an ‘internal party issue that has nothing to do with us’.

By noon Tuesday The Labour Party Press Office claimed that the problem with Mr. O’Connell’s co-option lies with the Youghal Town Clerk. When asked why the Labour Party had contacted the council with their request, Mr. Tony Heffernan said. “The proper selection procedure wasn’t fulfilled under the law. All candidates are required to have a certificate of political affiliation. Mr. O’Connell doesn’t. I presume the Town Clerk is familiar with the law and would have checked the legal requirements. The Town Council wasn’t entitled to co-opt him.” Mr. Ryan responded that he would make ‘no comment on internal Labour Party procedures’.
On hearing the Labour Party Press Office claims on Tuesday afternoon Mr. O’Connell said the dispute over his legitimacy as a certified member of the party was a ‘smokescreen’. He also claimed that those with a ‘vested interest’ in discrediting the Youghal branch ‘will fail’. “I don’t have a certificate. However, I have a membership card and I have a letter from head office accepting my donation. That information was conveyed to the Town Clerk. This is a petty procedure in the extreme and is an internal issue. Someone at a senior level within the Labour Party has an ulterior motive. I believe it comes from potential candidates looking to destroy the Youghal branch before an election. We have contacted Eamonn Gilmore and he is investigating the matter. We won’t take this lying down,” he said.

On Saturday, the controversy continued to evolve with a special sitting of the Youghal branch at the Walter Raleigh Hotel. Labour election candidates for Cork East, John Mulvihill and Sean Sherlock were in attendance to ratify Mr. O’Connell’s nomination. How Labour Party headquarters receive the move is unknown but have stated that they want the seat filled ‘as quickly as possible’ though no timeframe was given nor has any name yet been identified for selection. The move by the Labour Party marks a new phase in what has been a tumultuous number of months for the Youghal branch.

Youghal Labour Party will hold a special meeting to formally ratify Tommy O’Connell as the replacement for former town councillor, Donie Daly, who resigned from the Council in September. The move comes after it emerged that Mr O’Connell had not received a formal Letter of Affiliation from Labour Party Headquarters. Pic: www.youghalonline.com

It has been decided that a selection convention to fill the vacancy created by Cllr Daly’s resignation is to be held within the next seven days. The convention will be chaired by Cork North Central Labour deputy, Ciaran Lynch and will be attended by the two Labour candidates for Cork East, Sean Sherlock TD and Cllr John Mulvihill and members of the Consituency Council have also been invited.

If, as expected, Mr O’Connell emerges from this selection convention as the replacement for former Cllr Daly, he is likely to formally take his seat on Youghal Town Council at its December meeting.

Youghal Labour Town Councillor Donie Daly resignation from Youghal Town council has been officially accepted by his party. The resignation will be effective from September 13th next.

The seat is being co-opted to veteran Labour member and former councillor Tommy O’Connell, pending ratification by the Labour party and subsequent acceptance by the town council. The Labour party are unlikely to have completed their ratification prior to September’s council meeting.

Cllr Daly formally resigned his position at the local branch’s AGM. Sources in the party say the councillor resisted attempts to persuade him to stay on. A branch spokesman expressed “full and total confidence in Donie Daly” but appreciated that “events had forced his hand.”

As is well documented, Cllr Daly has quit amidst the town council’s monthly meeting from Monday evening to Tuesday mornings. Mr. Daly, a freelance financial consultant, says he cannot attend daytime meetings due to travel and work commitments.

Split
The council switched from Monday nights last April during a work to rule action taken by the council executive over pay and conditions. When that issue was eventually resolved, Cllr Daly’s eight colleagues were split 4-4 on whether to return to Monday nights, before the mayor’s casting vote decided in favour of Tuesday mornings.

The decision has sparked immense controversy in the town, given that Cllr Daly polled 383 first preferences in his first council election in 2009. He was Youghal’s first Labour councillor since 1986 when, ironically, his co-opted successor resigned.

Mr. Daly’s outspoken views had rankled several council colleagues. “It was becoming very difficult for me to have any sort of working relationship with some of them and I wasn’t surprised that daytime meetings were retained,” he says. “Nonetheless, I will now work alongside Tommy O‘Connell and the Youghal Labour party on behalf of those who voted for me and for the town in general.”

Parish Priest
Tommy O’Connell, 64,  first served as a Youghal Sinn Fein councillor in 1974, before resigning from the party four years later. He topped the poll as an Independent in 1979, joined Labour in 1981 and was re-elected under that party‘s banner in 1985. However he resigned from local politics a year later when his family emigrated to London for some years. While “sad  to see Mr.  Daly forced to resign by an intransigent council,”  Mr O’Connell warns that “a silent priest never got a parish and I will serve the town straight and honestly.”

Donie Daly to resign town council seat – Tommy O’Connell set to be co-opted

Youghal Town Councillor Donie Daly is set to resign his seat in the coming days. Report: Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com | Email: news@youghalonline.com

Sources close to the Youghal Labour party say the councillor’s seat will be co-opted to veteran Labour member and former councillor Tommy O’Connell, pending ratification at a meeting of the local branch next Saturday (August 14th).

Party sources say Cllr Daly has decided there is no point trying to meet his mandate following the decision by the town council to retain Tuesday mornings as its monthly meeting time. The council switched from Monday nights last April following a work to rule policy adopted by the council executive over pay and conditions. This meant the town clerk and other clerical staff would not attend night time meetings.

When that issue was eventually resolved, voting amongst Cllr Daly’s eight council colleagues were split 4-4 on whether to return to Monday nights, before the Mayor’s second (casting) vote decided in favour of Tuesday mornings.

Cllr Daly, who polled 308 first preferences in his first council election in 2009, says he cannot attend daytime meetings due to out-of-town work commitments.

The financial consultant, having missed the past four consecutive meetings, would be obliged under the Local Government Act to vacate his seat automatically should he miss six meetings in a year. “He doesn’t feel he can serve the people who elected him in circumstances whereby he is effectively prevented from attending meetings,” says a party colleague.

Tommy O’Connell, who managed Cllr Daly’s election campaign now finds himself about to be propelled into his charge’s seat. Mr. O’Connell 64,  previously served as a Youghal councillor in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. He was elected for Sinn Fein in 1974, before resigning, disillusioned, from the party four years later.

He topped the poll as an Independent in 1979, joined Labour in 1981and was re-elected under that party‘s banner in 1985. However he resigned from local politics a year later when he and his family decided to emigrate to London for some years. Mr. O’Connell has declined to comment on his likely return to the Youghal chamber prior to next Saturday’s meeting.