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A commemorative plaque or a sculpture for abuse victims?

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MEMBERS of Ennis Town Council are to meet with Bishop Willie Walsh to decide whether a memorial sculpture or a commemorative plaque is more appropriate as a means of paying respect to victims of abuse.
The matter was raised by Councillor Paul O’Shea at a meeting of the town council this week. He was calling on the council to support the erection of a sculpture and his request sparked a heated “schoolboy” argument between him and Councillor Brian Meaney.
Councillor Tommy Brennan said he had spoken to Bishop Walsh during the week and arising from his conversation with the bishop, he proposed that the council erect a commemorative plaque.
Councillor Peter Considine supported this stating that Bishop Walsh was “more than willing” to do anything that would be deemed appropriate with regard to commemorating victims of abuse. “His generosity and Christian values are his downfall in some respects. He is very keen to have this done and is interested in acknowledging the national sins of the past, as we might call them. I’d have no problem talking to him here at a meeting. A plaque acknowledging and damning the damage done to children down through time. The bishop has been upfront in his attitude, comments and statements regarding all of these matters,” the councillor said.
He continued, “Initially, it was decided that three councillors would explore the possibility of independent funding. The council did not have funding resources for the project. I feel that a commemorative plaque would be appropriate and fitting to express the horror and condemnation we feel at what happened. I’d be much more in favour of a plaque with appropriate and sensitive wording.”
Councillor O’Shea said that he took on board what Councillor Considine said but added that he strongly disagreed.
“I feel a plaque is tokenism. I’d rather we would wait and talk to the Bishop,” he said.
Councillor Brian Meaney contended that a plaque was “certainly not tokenism”. “There are many plaques around Ennis which reflect certain matters and events and it is offensive and insulting to call them tokenism. I want to disassociate myself from those remarks,” he said.
Councillor Michael Guilfoyle added that in his view, plaques don’t do a whole lot to remember occasions, such as road openings, but Councillor Meaney again stated that in his view plaques are “very fitting”.
Councillor O’Shea disagreed, raising his voice at Councillor Meaney, “They are not. I’m not happy with a plaque.”
Councillor Meaney asked Councillor O’Shea to stop shouting at him, to which Councillor O’Shea requested Councillor Meaney not to raise his biro at him.
Mayor of Ennis Frankie Neylon said he would not allow any more of this “schoolboy argument”. “It’s very childish. Ye are not schoolboys,” he added.
Town clerk Eddie Power stated that as previously confirmed by the town council they had no funding for a memorial sculpture and they had not received confirmation that external funding had been sourced for such a piece of art.
“In the present economic climate where income sources including government grants are much reduced, it is necessary to limit expenditure and to manage the council’s activities within the budget available,” he said.
He added that it was council’s recommendation that the members consider the placing of a commemorative plaque at an appropriate location “as a demonstration of solidarity with all those who suffered abuse in County Clare”.
After a vote on two proposals regarding the best way to proceed with the commemoration idea, councillors are to meet with Bishop Walsh to discuss whether they will erect a sculpture or plaque.

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