LIMERICK City and County Council have been urged to upgrade lighting with the inclusion of festoon lighting on Parnell Street, Wickham Street, and Upper William Street to ensure better visibility and safety.
The proposal was made at December’s Metropolitan District meeting by Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan following an unprovoked homophobic attack on William Street last month. Following the attack, Cllr O’Donovan asked her constituents to contact her highlighting areas of the city where they feel unsafe.
“I received an overwhelming response, particularly in relation to these three areas. People felt the time that was most unsafe was at the time of the last busses. That was when people felt that they were getting harassed, where they were getting verbally assaulted or physically attacked,” Cllr O’Donovan told Council members.
“Unfortunately, in some cases, this was very gendered, and particularly amongst young women and young students. One of the things people were calling for was more lighting around that area,” she explained.
Cllr O’Donovan pointed out to Council management that festoon lighting has been used to very good effect on the Davis Street area of the city.
“That was an area that was quite unsafe for many years. We now have people living on Davis Street. We have the festoon lighting there. Same with Catherine Street, which I find a lot safer to walk down because it’s got the festoon lighting on it, and a lot of the pubs there will tell you the same thing.
“I know that this will cost money, but I think particularly around Wickham Street, if there is a possibility for putting in that inviting lighting for people to make that area as safe as possible, that’s what I’m proposing.” the City West representative added.
Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara (SD) seconded the motion, saying: “I really appreciate you bringing up that case of those young people who contacted you. I have worked with some of them in the past, and its been absolutely devastating, causing so much fear amongst our community.”