Putting Ross on the cross

Transport Minister Shane Ross.
Transport Minister Shane Ross.

โ€œIF we had crucifixions around here it would be Minister Shane Ross up on the crossโ€.

That was the declaration from former Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, who took aim this week at the Transport Ministerโ€™s attempts to tighten road traffic legislation with the introduction of controversial new laws.

The Minister came in for scathing criticism at this Tuesdayโ€™s monthly meeting of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District where his controversial new drink-driving legislation proved unpopular.

Cllr Sheahan deemed Minister Ross as being โ€œanti-ruralโ€ and focused on destroying rural towns and villages.

Advertisement

โ€œHe is anti-people from outside the Pale. He should use his energy to focus on making sure the laws that are already there are enforced so as to save lives. Instead this wretched Minister is busy sitting around coming up with new ones.

โ€œSpare the country from Minister Rossโ€™s hands. He is too busy telling people how they should live!

โ€œIf we had crucifixions around here it would be Minister Shane Ross up on the cross,โ€ the Fianna Fรกil politician fumed.

Cllr Sheahan went on to ask Limerick City and County Council to write to Minister Ross to let him know of the debate and local representativesโ€™ expressed anger towards him.

โ€œI wonโ€™t ask you to say what Iโ€™d like to say to him.โ€

Independent councillor Richard Oโ€™Donoghue agreed with Cllr Sheahanโ€™s sentiments and felt that the government should subsidise taxi fares for people travelling to and from pubs in rural areas.

โ€œI was afraid to have the sherry trifle at Christmas,โ€ Cllr Oโ€™Donoghue confessed.

โ€œMinister Ross is just anti-rural. People in country areas should be entitled to the same quality of life as those living in cities.โ€