This article is from page 35 of the 2007-04-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
TOWN councillors in Kilrush felt “snubbed” when they were left off the invitation list for the official launch of the CCTV cameras in the John Paul housing estate.
That was according to Councillor Colie Sweeney (Ind), who last week said he was entitled to be told why he and his fellow councillors were not asked to attend the switch-on of the cameras in February.
He said that the town clerk, town manager and local superintendent were all invited, as was the Mayor, Cllr Stephen O’Gorman. However he said many of the elected members
were unhappy they were not aware it was taking place.
“Many of the elected members felt snubbed and slighted when we were not invited to the official launch of the CCTV initiative. Can you offer us an explanation why we were left off the official list of invitees?” he asked, at the monthly meeting of Kil- rush Town Council last Thursday.
“I was under the impression that this council represented all the areas of Kilrush. I really am at a loss for words to know why all the elected members failed to get invited to a town council initiative?” he added.
Town Clerk Fiona Mooney said the event wasn’t so much a launch,
rather a press event. Superintendent Joe McKeown, who was head of the Kilrush garda district at the time, was invited along for the photograph opportunity.
“They have been live since Decem- ber,” she said.
She pointed out that councillors were sent a letter, in the aftermath of the event taking place, apologising that they weren’t invited.
Cllr Sweeney replied, snubbed, living in the area.”
Ms Mooney said there was no in- tention to snub anybody and mem- bers will be sent press releases in advance of future events.
Cllr Tom Prendeville said he was
“IT felt
asked by locals in the town why he had “kept away” from the opening, after photographs of the event ap- peared in the local media.
He said he accepted that the town clerk is “‘a busy lady” and that she did not intend to cause offence.
“It 1s very important that public representatives would be _ treated with the utmost of respect. I know it was an oversight. It appeared as if we stayed away,” he said.
Cllr Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “It was a bit embarrassing to be deputy mayor and not be invited, but sure we will get over it. It was an oversight.”
Cllr Sweeney then said he accepted it was an oversight.