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Towing proposal removed from bylaws


CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow Ennis Town Council to tow away vehicles parked in market bays on trading days have been removed from new casual trading bylaws, which were adopted this week by the local authority.
Members of the council unanimously voted to remove the bylaw, with Councillor Johnny Flynn describing the proposed tow-away system as “a sledgehammer to crack a nut”. Councillor Frankie Neylon argued the plans would prevent people from coming to do their shopping in the town.
However, while it was agreed to remove the bylaw allowing for the towing away of vehicles, town manager Ger Dollard warned that cars could still be removed by gardaí if they are deemed to be causing an obstruction and that warning signage for motorists would be placed in the market areas.
Mr Dollard told councillors the current bylaws are “unsatisfactory” dating back to 1988 and he urged that the new casual trading bylaws be adopted.
Councillors also opposed plans to create a Christmas tree selling area at the Cornmarket car park. This was unanimously voted for by the councillors and removed from the draft bylaws.
Also, Councillor Johnny Flynn proposed that plans to reduce parking spaces at Gaurranakilla to make room for trading bays be removed from the bylaws. He outlined that residents and businesses in the Upper Market and surrounding areas had raised objections to the plans.
“50% of the car park is already being used for casual trading,” he said.
Mr Dollard responded by saying, “you can’t have both car parking and trading going on at the same point, there is a conflict”. Town clerk Eddie Power insisted, “Designating Gaurranakilla as a designated casual trading area is critically important. The area can be limited but it needs to be defined because what is in place now is not satisfactory.”
He outlined that while casual trading is currently happening at the site, the area is not officially covered under the bylaws and the new bylaws would rectify this.
The proposal was put to a vote, with Councillor Johnny Flynn, Councillor Frankie Neylon and Councillor Paul O’Shea voting to keep the car parking area, while the four remaining councillors voted against the amendment. The draft bylaws were adopted, with amendments to remove the tow-away proposal and the Christmas tree selling area.

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