THE alleged presence of three security guards at a public meeting between Mayor John Moran and residents in Janesboro has been deemed an “insult” to the local community.
In advance of the public meeting held on Wednesday of last week (March 25), Mayor Moran issued a last-minute statement regarding the meeting over his hotly debated plans for modular housing in Boro Park.
The Mayor agreed to meet with local residents to hear their concerns over the plans, but explained that “two issues have arisen” in connection with original plans for the meeting, which was to be recorded due to space restrictions in the venue.
“The capacity of the venue is limited and will not allow all stakeholders who have expressed an interest to attend. For a project of this scale and importance, it is essential that engagement is accessible and inclusive, and not restricted by space. As a compromise I had therefore agreed that the meeting would only take place with a recording to be provided to those not able to attend,” Mayor Moran said in his statement.
“Notwithstanding this, it was made clear to me this afternoon that there may be ongoing regulatory issues which mean this cannot be facilitated to the required standard. Given the late stage at which this has arisen, it is not possible to resolve these issues in time for this evening.”
The Queen of Peace school meeting went ahead, with the Mayor saying he remained “fully committed to meeting with the residents of Janesboro and to ensuring their views are heard as part of this process” at a second meeting yet to be scheduled.
Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely told the Limerick Post she previously flagged the issue of capacity at the venue.
“We in Janesboro, Rathbane, and the surrounding community are steadfast in our quest to save our park, so we knew the school hall would be too small,” she explained.
“People were turned away from the hall; there were a lot waiting outside to see if they would gain access as time went on. Many were very disappointed with not being allowed in, and the frustration inside the room and outside was palpable.”
She added that “what did annoy people was the fact that at least three security guards were standing among the crowd”.
She claimed that “this is an insult to my community and a slight on my family, friends, and neighbours who were and always were going to be respectful in their exchanges with the Mayor”.
She said that “there were also five City East councillors as well as Cllr Dan McSweeney, who contributed to the meeting along with Cllr Catherine Slattery. The other councillors did not contribute, that included Cllr Sean Hartigan, who is supporting the Mayor in his crusade to take away our park.”
Mayor Moran was lambasted on social media for allegedly turning up to the meeting flanked by security guards. In response, Mayor Moran posted on his X account: “Where did you get the four security guards? A rumour spread to sow distrust in the community. I came with someone who works at the security desk from City Hall. I had no car that day so he took me to the public consultation on University Way right beforehand.”