This article is from page 10 of the 2008-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
SOME of Kilrush’s most prominent businessmen have questioned the procedure used by the two local au- thorities when they purchased a €1.4 million derelict site for their new civic offices.
Following the meeting of Kilrush Town Council, local developer Mark Reidy said it appeared that the elect-
ed members’ opinions did not seem to matter as “the decision was made at a higher level, without taking into account the rate-payers who are the backbone of this town”.
He said, “There is no reason why they couldn’t have purchased this on an option agreement, undertaken a feasibility study, applied for plan- ning permission and then have a de- layed closing.”
Businessman Joe Whelan, who at- tended the local authority meeting, said, “If I was to operate my business like that cuckoo operation carried out there this evening, I wouldn’t be here five minutes.”
Fellow businessman Paul Coady said the meeting clouded the issues around how the building would be paid for, rather than clearing up any questions they may have had.
“In fairness, we want development for the town and we accept there may be a need for civic offices,” he said.
Mr Coady who is chairman of the Kilrush Chamber of Commerce, said he was not speaking on behalf of the chamber, which would be issuing a full statement once it had obtained the information necessary to make an informed decision.
A special meeting of the chamber executive took place on Thursday morning last. “It 1s a project we cer- tainly have no grave objection to but we need the information on how it is going to be funded,’ said Mr Coady in his only reference to that meeting.
Meanwhile, Mr Reidy has ques- tioned the feasibility of the project. He said that he had offered the coun- cil 7,000 square foot of office space at the Quay Mill development, fully fin- ished, for €1.6 million and his offered was declined. He said that he also of- fered to rent the office space to Clare County Council and Kilrush Town Council for €14 per square foot.
The renovation of Inis Cathaigh is estimated to cost up to €5 million.
Mr Reidy denied he had a vested interest in objecting to the lack of a feasibility plan in place to buy and develop Inis Cathaigh. He said he has since sold the development, and has only a minor interest in the busi- ness now.