This article is from page 33 of the 2009-10-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
GARDAI in Shannon are being asked to investigate the origin of fireworks which are in circulation in the town, after a firework was put through the letterbox of the local family resource centre.
The call from Labour Council- lor Tony McMahon came during a debate by local elected representa- tives on how Halloween should be celebrated in the town.
The idea of holding a party, to in- clude a fireworks display, bonfires and games for children, was raised by Fine Gael Councillor Mary BIKINITADOR
However, Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn said while he would support the idea, he could not back the suggestion to organise a bon- nae
“IT cannot support bonfires. It’s against the legislation,’ he said.
Labour Councillor Tony McMa- hon asked could special permission be obtained to have a bonfire.
“While they are nice to look at, fireworks are dangerous. Some ani- mals are badly frightened by fire- works,” he said.
He expressed concern about the easy availability of fireworks.
“They are supposed to be ille- gal and yet there are a lot of them
around town. They are going off al- ready. It is only a matter of time be- fore a child loses an eye or a limb or something. They should be treated a lot more seriously than they are,” |ntemncreBLOe
He called on gardai to investigate Where the fireworks have come from.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) said that a firework was inserted into the letterbox at the family resource centre in the town KAN
“All of us are vulnerable if fire- works get into the wrong hands. There is no control. I’d ask that peo- ple be vigilant. We hear every year
that people are getting seriously in- jured,” she said.
Labour’s Greg Duff said that a small minority of people engage in anti-social behaviour around Hal- OW (eroe
“We have to work with the legisla- tion, but I’d hate to see it losing the momentum that we started in previ- ous years in working with groups in the community,” he said.
The mayor of the town, Councillor Sean McLoughlin said a fireworks display could be arranged success- fully, if handled by professional people.
“We definitely should have some- thing for Halloween,’ he said.