This article is from page 19 of the 2011-09-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
IT LOOKS like Dev’s car is not on the move, at least not to Clare County Council’s headquarters.
The car, which was restored by Sixmilebridge businessman and councillor PJ Ryan and which weighs two tonnes, has been located in a garage at the back of the De Valera library in Ennis for a number of years.
Earlier this year, Independent Councillor Christy Curtin tabled a motion calling for the car to be relocated to the foyer of the county council’s building, Áras Contae an Chláir, where it would be prominently displayed.
However, in a letter presented at the monthly meeting of the county council yesterday, it was stated that the proposal was considered. However a number of issues arose.
According to Senior Executive Officer in Corporate Services, Michael McNamara, a number of issues required further detailed examination. These include the weight of the car and the structural capacity of the council’s foyer area to bear the load, along with possible damage to the limestone paviours in the foyer in getting the car into its location.
Councillors heard that underfloor heating distribution pipes are laid in the atrium floor slab and moving a car of his size would have a huge impact on this. Also, moving the car into the building would require one of the entrance doors to be disman- tled and re-assembled, at a significant cost.
“Since the car was restored earlier this year, there has been much interest in the car and several requests have been received for the ‘loan’ of the car for specific functions and events. These requests have not been accommodated,” wrote Mr McNamara.
County Manager Tom Coughlan told the meeting, “We looked at every possibility of trying to do it but unfortunately we can’t do it at this point in time.”
Cllr PJ Ryan (Independent) said, “I’m a bit disappointed that we can’t find a home for this particular piece of iconic history.”
“It has to stay where it is for the time being. The only thing I’m concerned about is if we get inclement weather and the River Fergus flows over, the building is going to get flooded again,” he added.
Fianna Fáil Councillor PJ Kelly said he was “very, very disappointed with the response” from the executive.
He said if the weight of the car would challenge the capacity of the council’s headquarters, “if that’s the situation we had better get out of an unsafe building”.
Mr Coughlan said he wished to refute any suggestions that the building was not safe.