Photograph: Fiona McNamara
ENNIS COUNCILLORS have moved off the fence and have voted against the possible erection of iron railings surrounding the Daniel O’Connell monument.
Having discussed the matter at the September meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) brought the item to the floor once again for their April sitting. While Cllr Mary Howard (FG) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF) were vocal in September in their opposition, they were now supported by all but Cllr Flynn when the debate resurfaced.
Consideration of the “re-introduction of the wrought iron railings that were originally located around the O’Connell Monument” was tabled by Cllr Flynn.
Part 8 consent would be required for the proposal, executive planner Candace Ingram outlined in her response to the motion in September. The monument is listed on the record of protected structures.
A “sense of being slightly intimidated” has been expressed by workers, walkers and people using the area around the Monument, Cllr Flynn stated. “It is not acceptable for men to say it is not all men for issues of gender-based violence, we have to bring up issues to try change and improve things”. A Purple Flag assessment for the town taking place one evening in the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day noticed a high amount of litter thrown around the monument, he said.
“Unpleasant things” associated with the monument referenced by the Ennis representative include its use as a public toilet and a spot to jeer and leer at women from. “There should be a gate into it so that people can sweep off the monument. It is a very historic monument and we need to bring it back to its original beauty”.
Addition of railings or barriers to the public realm “would create more harm than good,” Cllr Howard cautioned. She said the monument is one of the areas she heads to first when volunteering with Ennis Tidy Towns. “We’re all well aware of what happens, all you will do is move the issue somewhere else, the square is safe with quite a lot of CCTV coverage”. Cllr Daly reiterated that he was “totally against” iron railings at the location, a discussion with An Garda Síochána would be more beneficial to tackle the anti-social behaviour, he believed.
Recalling the discussion in September, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) admitted that he seconded the proposal “with a view to having a discussion. I’m not a fan of railings but I am a fan of public consultation. It is divisive enough”.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) suggested an in-camera briefing be held to reach an agreed consensus.
Views of the senior executive officer, Leonore O’Neill were sought by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) who maintained costings for any work would have to be done when the MD is dealing with “limited resources”. In response, Leonore noted that the public realm works incorporate additional seating units within the area, “the intend to refocus the public dwell time and activity in the area”. She confirmed that a full part eight planning permission is needed were railings to be installed. “It has been raised a number of times but no clear consensus on it,” she observed.
Old photographs should be studied by the design office to see what existed at the location before, Cllr Flynn commented. “I’m not looking for a part eight planning application but I would like to see some research on what was there before and what could be there”. A survey among the public similar to that for the pedestrianisation was also recommended. O’Neill replied to support Cllr Norton’s call for an in-house discussion.
In a bid to progress the motion and try reach a common consensus, a vote was called on the motion as it had not received a seconder. The resulting vote was unanimous, “I won’t be bothering bringing it up every six months because it has been voted so strongly against,” Cllr Flynn conceded.
VOTE: To consider the re-introduction of iron railings at the O’Connell Monument
FOR: Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG)
AGAINST: Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cllr Mark Nestor (FF), Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), Cllr Pat Daly (FF), Cllr Ann Norton (IND), Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF)
