Kilkee councillors described as ‘rude’

ADDRESSING Monday’s July meeting of Kilkee Town Council, Joanne Bourke described councillors as “rude” when she and her sister, Lorna, were attempting to seek permission to attend the June meeting of the town council.

“The reception that we got was quite rude,” Ms Bourke said. They had approached the door of the meeting room in Kilkee library but were informed they could not speak that evening. They subsequently contacted the town council but said they had to make several calls to the Kilrush Town Council office before gaining permission to attend this week’s meeting.

Ms Bourke spoke on Monday evening of her family’s hurt following comments made at the May town council meeting regarding some businesses in Kilkee, including a building on the way into the town, known locally as Bourke’s garage.

Ms Bourke said her family operates a fish and tackle business on the site of the now disused petrol station on the Kilrush Road.

The property is in the ownership of NAMA and has been for several years.

The Clare Champion carried a report on what was said at that meeting but the sisters said their issue was with comments passed by councillors regarding the building, from which their late father, Michael, once operated a business.

“Our business has been negatively affected. My family felt singled out. In general, the premises has looked the exact same for the last 25 years,” Ms Bourke said.

Stating that, in her view, the site “is most definitely not derelict”, Ms Bourke said the quotes published “were not taken out of context”, as they reflect the minutes of the meeting.

Mayor Paddy Collins expressed his regret that offence had been taken.

“I’m sorry that you did take offence from within this body,” Councillor Collins said.

Councillor Claire Haugh described Ms Bourke’s comments to the meeting as “a very comprehensive presentation,” before adding, “no insult or hurt was meant. I can speak for everybody here.”

Ms Bourke suggested the words “rejuvenation or regeneration” could have been used at the May meeting, rather than “derelict”.

At the May meeting, Councillor Elaine Haugh Hayes described the site on the Kilrush Road as “a huge eyesore”.