SHOULD DEASY'S CAR PARK BE LOCKED?

SHOULD DEASY'S CAR PARK BE LOCKED?

At this week's Clonakilty Town Council meeting, Sinn Féin Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin said that the council should NOT start locking the newly-erected gates at Deasy's Car Park unless the problems we had there up to a few months ago began re-occurring.
BACKROUND: For a couple of years at least, a small group of people with no respect for the facility or nearby residents, used the car park as a gathering place for their illegal activities, which impacted on nearby residents, other users of the car park, and the general image of our town.
Gardaí were unable or unwilling to tackle the issue head on and deal with the root of the problem. Council and Councillors were inundated with complaints on a regular basis.
At last August's Council Meeting, I agreed reluctantly to the idea of erecting gates at the two entrances to the car park, and that these would be locked during certain night time hours, to physically prevent the anti-social element entering, and continuing with their disgraceful activities.
My comments at the meeting got a lot of coverage as I called it as I saw it, and left no one in any doubt as to my disgust at these individuals who were forcing the council to do this, but also how their loutish behaviour had led to misery for so many decent people. I also said at the time, that we were giving into this small minority and denying the general public the right to park their cars in a public car park, which was bought by the council for that purpose, and believed that it was an admission of failure to tackle the root cause of the problem.
In the end, the council had no choice in order to protect the people of the area, but to go for the option of erecting gates that would then be closed nightly during certain hours in order to prevent entry of the anti-social element in their cars. I also proposed that signage be erected prominently, outlining the fines for misuse of the car park or any breaking of laws or the councils own bye laws e.g. Public Drinking, Littering, etc.
So roll on. After three months, the gates were finally erected in late November/early December. However, since the August meeting, the whole issue has quietened down and the problems appear to have disappeared completely (hope I'm not tempting fate here!).
Therefore at this weeks council meeting, I suggested that given this positive development, that we do NOT lock the gates, unless the problems started up again. The gates are now hanging on the pillars and could be easily closed at any time. The signage could reflect the fact that people parking there should be aware that the car park "may" be closed during certain hours, and a telephone number to contact for clarification. Indeed temporary stand-by signs could be made, reading something like:
"PLEASE NOTE. THIS CAR PARK WILL BE LOCKED AND INACCESSIBLE FROM 8.00pm TO 8.00am TONIGHT. PLEASE DO NOT PARK DURING THESE HOURS"
and placed prominently at the entrances. These signs could be easily placed and removed on days when it is being proposed to close the gates, and removed at other times. Practical no?
However, the majority of councillors insisted on them being closed with immediate effect "on a trial basis"!! for nine months!!
I stand by my opinion that unless something is not broken, there's no need to fix it! Presently and for the last few months, the problems have disappeared. The gates are ready to be closed at any time, should the problems start re-occurring. In the meantime, the car park can remain open 24 hours/day, to be used for the purpose it is intended - Parking. That after all is why Clonakilty Town Council paid £1 million for the site over 10 years ago!

Message to Grassrott Fianna Fáilers

Letter to the Editor for publication

For verification, please ring 086-2202029

5 STEPS HOW GRASSROOT FIANNA FÁILERS CAN SHOW THEIR SHAME

23ú Samhain 2010

A Chara,
It is stunning that the whole Fianna Fáil hierarchy has no shame that they have ruined the country, sold out to the IMF and EU, and enslaved the people of this country for at least a generation. The self proclaimed Republican Party see no irony in the fact that they have effectively shredded the 1916 Proclamation in favour of the banks, and have betrayed the selfless patriots of the past who went out to try to free our country - many of whom paid with their lives. Those gallant men and women did not take up the gun for pensions, lavish expenses or chauffeur-driven cars.
Yet the Fianna Fáil organisation around the state perpetuate these patriots names in their branch names, etc. I know many ordinary grassroot Fianna Fáil people who are deeply ashamed and embarrassed by their party today, it’s gombeen leadership, and what it has inflicted on the Irish people.
These are decent, honourable people who feel betrayed by the treasonable arrogance of their Ministers, T.D.’s and Senators, whose only focus now is political survival, rather than democracy or the will of the citizens. To compel the insult on the Irish people, we then see the “renegades” on the airwaves calling for Cowen to go, trying to give the impression they are on the peoples side. What a joke!
Others are wasting peoples time sending out leaflets talking about things they are doing, which is mostly local council work. To those genuine Fianna Fáil people I say it’s time to take a stand.
If you are really serious about what you once were supposed to stand for, I propose the following actions, on this the week when we remember the 90th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Kilmichael Ambush and recently the deaths of Terence McSwiney and other Cork Republicans on Hunger Strike.
(1) Demand an emergency meeting of your local Cumann, and decommission the name of any Irish patriot in their names. True Irish patriots and the Fianna Fáil name should not be in the one sentence.
(2) Decommission "The Republican Party" from your title.
(3) Organise that all the members of the party at local level who have a conscience, assemble at a pre-arranged, publicised location, and publicly burn or tear up your Fianna Fáil membership cards, or better still, stuff them in the letterbox of your local Fianna Fáil constituency office.
(4) Sign a public pledge that you will not canvass or support Fianna Fáil candidates in the upcoming election (even if you cannot get yourself to vote for any other candidate)
(5) Ring, write, text, e-mail your local Fianna Fáil councillor, asking them all to follow your example.
I believe that the many decent Fianna Fáil grassroot members who are horrified and ashamed by the gangsterism of their leadership should have no problem in acting on these proposals if they are ashamed of their party and how it has betrayed not just the Irish people, but treated their own members with such disdain.
Is mise, le meas,
Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,
Sinn Féin,
Cloich na Coillte,
Iarthair Chorcaí.

CLON ANTI GOVERNMENT SF PROTEST

CLON ANTI GOVERNMENT SF PROTEST

On Monday evening last (23rd), the Clon Sinn Féin Cumann organised a march calling for an immediate general election. Around 30 people attended the event which was organised late the night before. It was organised to get participants thinking about patriots of times gone by, versus the corrupt and inept politicians in Government.

The peaceful march commenced at the statue of local 1798 leader, Tadhg an Astna, proceeded into McCurtain Hill (named after Tomás McCurtain, murdered Lord Mayor of Cork). Here they called for a general election at the office of Christy O’ Sullivan, TD, and proceeded up Pearse St., (named after Pádraig, the 1916 leader).

The march concluded at the Michael Collins statue where the Cathaoirleach and main organiser, Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin invited representatives from any political parties present to say a few words. Paul Hayes (Sinn Féin) was the only speaker.

The ceremony concluded with everyone singing, “Amhrán na bhFiann”.

CLON SINN FÉIN ORGANISE PROTEST FOR THIS EVENING

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

CLON SINN FÉIN ORGANISE PROTEST FOR THIS EVENING

Clonakilty Sinn Féin is calling on people of all political persuasions and none to come out this evening to protest at the Governments ineptitude and the blatant lies they have told the people of Ireland, in the wake of their formal announcement that they are handing over the economic affairs of the country to the IMF and EU, and to demand that a general election be called immediately.

Clonakilty Town Councillor, Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin stated:

"The people of Clonakilty, like the rest of the population of the country are astounded by the turn of events in the last week to 10 days. It was bad enough that things were happening behind closed doors, yet the Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, his Ministers, T.D.'s and Senators continued for most of the week treating the citizens as fools.

Their actions are treasonable and an insult to the people of this country and Irish patriots of times gone by, that they claim to admire.

This evening, we in Clonakilty Sinn Féin are encouraging people of all political persuasions and none, who are angry by what has happened, and fearful of what is to come in the upcoming budget and the years ahead, to come out together to send a clear message to the Fianna Fáil led government that they must go now.

We are asking people to assemble with their own homemade placards with slogans of their choice, and lighted candles to symbolise the death of Irish fiscal independence at the statue of local United Irishmen leader Tadhg an Astna at 6.30pm. He was a man who gave his life for his country over 200 years ago, in the hope that a better country would become a reality.

We will then proceed to the nearby Constituency Office of Fianna Fáil Deputy Christy O' Sullivan, who has consistently backed the government on their savage cutbacks, and demand that an election be called immediately. The office is on McCurtain Hill, which remembers Cork's murdered Lord Mayor.

The people will then march via Pearse St., called after one of the 1916 leaders, to the Michael Collins statue. Collins was another local man who sacrificed much during his young life to create a better Ireland.

There, one representative of any political parties present who wish to address the crowd will be given an opportunity to do so.

This week as we honour the 90th anniversary of Boys of Kilmichael, Fianna Fáil and Co. have besmirched the memories of all patriotic Irish people, and ensured the economic enslavement of the present generation.

Let's tell them this evening that they need to get out of office and call a general election immediately"

CRÍOCH

RESERVE LAST WEEKEND NOVEMBER

SUPPORT SINN FÉIN EVENTS

Clonakilty Sinn Féin members and supporters are reminded that the last weekend of November will be a particularly busy one.

The formal convention to select/launch the candidate for the upcoming General Election for Cork South West will take place at the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon at 6.30pm on Saturday. The candidate selected will most likely be Paul Hayes of the Clonakilty Cumann, who is a member of the SF Árd Comhairle. Martin Ferris, T.D. and possibly Martin McGuinness will be guest speakers on the night.

It is also the annual Manchester Martyrs Commemorative Weekend in Bandon, which is organised by the Bandon Sinn Féin Cumann.

On Friday evening (26th) Ógra Shinn Féin will assemble at the Munster Arms Hotel along with youth representatives of other political parties to discuss the topic “Irelands Future - Your Vision” at 8.00pm.

The following morning at 11.00am, a bus departs the Munster Arms for a tour of historical sites in the West Cork area.

That night, after the convention, the annual Manchester Martyrs Commemoration takes place, this year it is a torchlight parade to Kilbrogan old cemetery, Bandon where the family grave of Philip Allen, one of the three Fenians executed in 1867 is located.

The popular “Spirit of Freedom” will entertain after at the Munster Arms.

Sunday 28^th marks the 90^th anniversary of the famous Kilmichael Ambush and the day will commence with Aifreann as Gaeilge at Castletownkenneigh Church and wreath laying in the cemetery, followed by the main commemoration at the battle site, with oration by Martin McGuinness. There will be a social occasion afterwards at Inchigeela as usual.

Clonakilty Sinn Féin encourages all local supporters to attend as many of the events that weekend as possible. Further information from 086-2202029.

RESERVE LAST WEEKEND NOVEMBER

SUPPORT SINN FÉIN EVENTS

Clonakilty Sinn Féin members and supporters are reminded that the last weekend of November will be a particularly busy one.

The formal convention to select/launch the candidate for the upcoming General Election for Cork South West will take place at the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon at 6.30pm on Saturday. The candidate selected will most likely be Paul Hayes of the Clonakilty Cumann, who is a member of the SF Árd Comhairle. Martin Ferris, T.D. and possibly Martin McGuinness will be guest speakers on the night.

It is also the annual Manchester Martyrs Commemorative Weekend in Bandon, which is organised by the Bandon Sinn Féin Cumann.

On Friday evening (26th) Ógra Shinn Féin will assemble at the Munster Arms Hotel along with youth representatives of other political parties to discuss the topic “Irelands Future - Your Vision” at 8.00pm.

The following morning at 11.00am, a bus departs the Munster Arms for a tour of historical sites in the West Cork area.

That night, after the convention, the annual Manchester Martyrs Commemoration takes place, this year it is a torchlight parade to Kilbrogan old cemetery, Bandon where the family grave of Philip Allen, one of the three Fenians executed in 1867 is located.

The popular “Spirit of Freedom” will entertain after at the Munster Arms.

Sunday 28^th marks the 90^th anniversary of the famous Kilmichael Ambush and the day will commence with Aifreann as Gaeilge at Castletownkenneigh Church and wreath laying in the cemetery, followed by the main commemoration at the battle site, with oration by Martin McGuinness. There will be a social occasion afterwards at Inchigeela as usual.

Clonakilty Sinn Féin encourages all local supporters to attend as many of the events that weekend as possible. Further information from 086-2202029.

AN PHOBLACHT AUTUMN SCHOOL IN BAILE BHÚIRNE

AN PHOBLACHT AUTUMN SCHOOL IN BAILE BHÚIRNE

PHOTO: Seen at the inaugural “An Phoblacht” Autumn School held at Baile Bhúirne last weekend were Conor Murphy, M.P., M.L.A., Minister for Regional Development Six Counties, Clonakilty Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin and Raymond McCartney, M.L.A., who participated in the 52 day-long Hunger Strike in Long Kesh in 1980.

The inaugural “An Phoblacht” Autumn School took place at The Mills Inn, Baile Bhúirne over last weekend, with around 100 Sinn Féin members from throughout the country in attendance. D’oscail an scoil ar tráthnóna Dé h-Aoine, nuair a chuir an Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin ó Cloich na Coillte fáilte roimh gach duine. Peadar Ó Riada, son of famous composer, poet agus Gaelgóir, Seán, introduced the film “Mise Éire” which was watched by the crowd. The second session of the evening saw Northern Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, M.P., M.L.A. performing the official opening followed by “Eyewitness to History” which had Raymond McCartney, now a Sinn Féin M.L.A. at Stormont, speak about his experiences as a Republican P.O.W. in Long Kesh in the late 1970s and his participation in the 52 day long hunger strike in the autumn of 1980. Raymond described the physical, political and emotions of the period. Thosnaigh maidin Dé Satharn le díospóireacht faoi “An Gaeltacht”. Three speakers outlined their thoughts on the future of the Gaeltacht areas, followed by an open forum. The conclusion was that all other political parties have no strong commitment to the Gaeltachtaí or an Gaeilge. After this, the autumn school was addressed by economists, Michael Burke and Tom O’ Connor on the topic “The Case for an All Ireland Economy”, which again provided food for thought and good discussion. After lunch, Cork hurling goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack, Mary Lou McDonald and Cllr. Chris O’ Leary gave their thoughts on “What Kind of an Ireland do we want”. After the formalities were over, the visitors were treated to a historical tour of the local area, with dinner that night with Martin Ferris T.D. as guest speaker.