Mayor aids improved public facilities for disabled campaign

MEMBERS of an organisation campaigning for better public facilities for those with disabilities are to make a presentation to Clare County Council on their work. 

It follows a request from Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton. A motion tabled by Councillor Norton, who is also Clinic Manager of The Clare Crusaders, at the December meeting of the local authority received widespread support.

The Independent councillor asked that members of the Brothers of Charity be invited to make a presentation to Council members on their Changing Places campaign. 

“Members of the Brothers of Charity have been working on a project during Covid to make people aware of the difficulties around toileting and making life easier for themselves and their carers or family members,” Councillor Norton said.

“They would like the opportunity to address the councillors and staff of Clare County Council to showcase their documentary and the opportunity to speak about the need for these facilities.”

Councillor Norton added that the initiative as an undertaking by a number of young adults with intellectual disabilities.

“They would like the opportunity to showcase what they have done and also get councillors to understand some of the difficulties that they face on a day-to-day basis,” she said.

“I’m just looking for support a getting and giving them the opportunity to come in.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Cillian Murphy and received the backing of Councillors Gerry Flynn, Donna McGettigan, Joe Killeen, John Crowe, Gabriel Keating, Pat Daly, Pat O’Gorman and Mark Nestor. 

“Ann, you’re getting support from everybody in the audience,” Cathaoirleach PJ Ryan remarked. 

Councillor Norton thanked her Council colleagues for their support. “This presentation will be worth everyone’s while,” she said.