Boundary extension demonstration planned

PUBLIC dissatisfaction over the proposed transfer of 3,000 South-East Clare people into a newly expanded Limerick City will be vented during a planned demonstration in Westbury on Sunday week.

Members of Clare Against the Boundary Extension (CABE) are planning to hold an afternoon protest in the Westbury and Shannon Banks area, opposing some of the recommendations contained in the recently published Limerick Local Government Report.
Exact details of the street protest are not fully finalised, pending discussions with gardaí and residents.
The need for protest was discussed at a committee meeting on Monday night and will be examined in greater detail at another private committee meeting this Thursday night.
Group chairman, Jim Gully, confirmed this week that the committee is stepping up its actions following a recent statement from Limerick Local Government committee chairman, Denis Brosnan, that the governance issue concerning Limerick City is now regarded as the top priority of the Mid-West Task Force, having previously been categorised as number seven on a list of 20 recommendations.
Mr Gully expressed disappointment that the Limerick Local Government Committee declined a request from CABE for a meeting.
In addition to receiving support from Clare deputies, Mr Gully stated that Limerick deputies Jan O’Sullivan, Michael Noonan and former Defence Minister Willie O’Dea agreed that an extension of the Limerick City boundary into South-East Clare is not necessary.
“The group will be urging everyone in Clare to support our planned demonstration. This is their county and residents living in South-East Clare want to protect it.
“If this extension is granted, what will stop Limerick City Council from looking to extend into Meelick or Parteen in another five or 10 years,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Councillor Michael Begley questioned Mr Brosnan about whether the inclusion of 3,000 Clare people in a new authority governing 187,000 people in Limerick City and County or in a new Limerick City containing 100,000 people is necessary at a Limerick Chamber function in Thomond Park on Thursday.
Mr Brosnan pointed out that part of Limerick City is already included in Clare territory and confirmed the review committee could have taken a bigger slice of Clare, including Parteen and Meelick, but opted for the minimum amount.
Councillor Begley said the committee should respect the 1,000-year geography of Clare and leave the present boundary intact.