BUSINESSES CAN PREVENT HEAD SHOP OPENING IN CLONAKILTY

Further information/comment from Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin 086-2202029

Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN APPEALS TO CLON BUSINESSES TO BE AWARE OF HEAD SHOP RENTALS

At the March meeting of Clonakilty Town Council, Sinn Féin's Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, called on the local business community and letting agents to be aware of the possibility of a Head Shop manager from another town "who is actively seeking a vacant property to rent and operate as a Head Shop in Clonakilty"

In a notice of motion, Cllr. Ó Súilleabháin asked the council to adopt "a policy of opposition to the concept of Head Shop opening in Clonakilty town". He also requested the council management "to write to all local businesses, auctioneers and letting agents" in the town asking them to be aware of the enquires being made and not to let their premises out for such a purpose.

"We see on a daily basis the devastation for families and communities posed by Head Shops in other towns and cities. While the substances they are pedalling are legal, that does not mean that they aren't dangerous. We have heard stories in the media of young people consuming these items and the detrimental and disastrous affects that they have had on them. We have enough of illegal drug abuse in Clonakilty without making legal highs also available to compound the problems", he said. "As the elected Representatives of the people of Clonakilty, we have a duty to do all we can to prevent a Head Shop opening in our town".

However, council management pointed out that as Head Shops are technically legal businesses, it would be illegal to write such a letter.

Cllr. Ó Súilleabháin then called on businesses to use their own initiative to prevent a Head Shop opening in Clonakilty. He said over the years the vast majority of business people were civic and community minded people who looked at the greater good, and he hoped that despite the economic pressures and the amount of vacant commercial properties in the town, that they "would still do the right thing if approached by someone whose intention was to rent and operate a Head Shop. This message must go out to the owners of commercial premises and also auctioneers and letting agents who have clients in Clonakilty town", he concluded.

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