by Alan Jacques
FORMER Mayor Cllr Kevin Sheahan has called on Limerick City and County Council to introduce a programme to help deal with criminality in Askeaton.
Speaking at this month’s Adare-Rathkeale district meeting, the Fianna Fail councillor claimed there was a section of the local community who never worked a day in their lives, living off social welfare benefits, while the remainder of the population “suffers”.
He suggested that “work, training or learning” would be beneficial and called on the local authority to draft a proposal to help alleviate antisocial behaviour in the town.
“The issue of antisocial behaviour and criminality is one that the people in Askeaton are facing every day and every night. It is being ignored by local government and I would like to see the council putting together a programme,” Cllr Sheahan suggested.
He later took umbrage at the fact that none of his council colleagues seconded his proposal and he told them that he was “devastated”.
However, fellow councillors informed Cllr Sheahan that he had not put a formal proposal to the floor.
Independent councillor Emmett O’Brien then called for an amendment to be added, indicating that they were working to “unify the community” and avoid any perception of “driving a wedge” between people.
“We need to have the community working together,” said Cllr O’Brien.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that everybody is treated equally and with fairness so we are all working together for the betterment of the town. Anything else would be borderline stupid”, he added.
Cllr Sheahan then accused Cllr O’Brien of saying he was stupid and called on him to withdraw his comment.
“Borderline incorrect,” Cllr O’Brien responded.
Sinn Fein councillor Ciara McMahon asked that the community traveller liaison officer be party to any such draft proposal.
