This article is from page 26 of the 2008-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
A PROPOSAL for the adoption of legislation, which will block appli- cations for casinos in Shannon, will be voted on, at a meeting of the local town council tonight.
Under the Gaming and Lotteries Act (1956), applications can be made for casinos. This legislation is cur- rently effective in Shannon, which means that subject to conditions, ca- sinos can, effectively, be set up in the eda 0
However councillors in Shannon
are attempting to rescind this, mean- ing that such applications can no longer be made.
Last year, businessman John O’Donovan lodged plans with Clare County Council for a casino, which he claims will create 12 jobs in Shannon. His application was turned down and is currently under appeal.
Last October, Shannon town coun- cillors voted to start the process to rescind the legislation.
The motion, up for discussion at this month’s meeting of the town council tonight (Tuesday), 1s widely expected
to be passed when voted upon by the nine town councillors.
If it is adopted, it means casinos or gambling clubs cannot be established in Shannon.
Objectors had until December 13 last to lodge objections to the pro- posed change.
Eleven objections have been lodged to Shannon Town Council and these will be considered by councillors as they vote on the issue tonight.
Mr O’Donovan, who hails from Quin, believes that there is a need for a casino in Shannon.
He said he carried out “brief sur- veys” on the hotels in Shannon and found that the occupancy ranges from 500 to 1200 per week.
“A number of guests would spent two to three days there. Unless you enjoy a drink, there is nothing really to do. That is how Shannon came to the forefront of this,’ he said.
He said he was initially “down- hearted” by some of the negative comments associated with his apph- cation, and said he was looking at his proposals as “something positive for Shannon.”