Kieran’s Motions and Question to the City Manager, Cork City Council Meeting, 30 April 2012

Question to the City Manager:

What is the manager’s response to the remarks made by Diarmuid Gavin on a recent Late Late Show interview and his reference to the staff of Cork City Council as “something from Fr. Ted”? (Cllr Kieran McCarthy)

Motions:

That the Museum be closed once a week to the general public to accommodate a schools’ programme on that day (Cllr Kieran McCarthy) 

That the City Council work with the Gardaí to address the problem that the area of Mary Street and Red Abbey Street has become a meeting place for large groups of youths bringing with it disruptive behaviour including under age alcohol and substance abuse resulting in a free-for-all attitude and a disrespect of the residents and the historical site. The residents are concerned about the disturbance to local residents as it causes disruption of the peace and interference on an ongoing basis. It is an intrusion and inconvenience causing residents constant distress, annoyance and worry as there is the potential for disorder, unruliness and physical conflict on their doorsteps.

The Abbey is a tourist attraction being Cork’s oldest surviving historical structure and is part of the tourist route but the surrounding areas are continually being vandalized and littered due to the activity in the area. The use of the Abbey grounds as a recreational assembly site is inappropriate and unacceptable in their neighbourhood. Local families, their children, friends and residents passing through the square feel intimidated and unsafe when these gangs have gathered. They wish to expose this problem and bring it further to find a resolution to restore safety and peace to our neighbourhood and community. This will also ensure that tourists can appreciate this historical site as it is a designated national monument and should be given due consideration (Cllr Kieran McCarthy)