Large crowds have attended a protest in Ennis, Clare, opposing a 2040 DAC plan which would see two car parks built on in the town centre, along with other changes which would have an impact on civic amenities.
Campaigners, attending the packed rally at O’Connell Square on Saturday, raised concerns that the multi-million euro initiative would destroy civic spaces and eradicate small businesses in the area.
A group of local traders and residents were vocal in their opposition to the proposed plan, Ennis 2040 Designated Activity Company (DAC) – which was established by Clare County Council to plan and develop strategic sites in the town.
They insist that their vision is to make Ennis a top riverside location, like other European cities, to include housing units, retail space, a park, and a promenade. Opposition to the plan has garnered a petition with more than 3,500 signatures, and a number of heated local meetings.
The Save Ennis Town say their civic amenities would be destroyed if the Riverside car parks on Parnell Street and Abbey Street go ahead.
Speaking to RTE News, John O’Connor, of the popular Custys Music Shop in the town, who previously spoke to Gript about the proposals, said: “This is the loins of Ennis. If we don’t have this, Ennis fails. On a lot of fronts – it fails as a business entity, it fails as a social entity, it fails as a town where older people can come and just socialise and do their business.”
Chairman of the Save Ennis Town campaign, Gearóid Mannion, told the hundreds gathered that public parking remained essential for those who come to visit Ennis for a range of reasons, from shopping, to attending medical appointments.
He also said the provision of public parking was vitally important to ensure the survival of small businesses.
“But most importantly we are also talking about the loss of a much loved civic space which brings a vibrancy and life to the centre of the town,” he said. He highlighted that the area in question is where outdoor concerts are held during the Fleadh, and where Christmas Markets and homecoming events for County teams take place.
Campaigner Joan Duggan also voiced opposition: “Our representatives who voted for this don’t give two hoots about me or the future generations of Ennis,” she told reporters.
“It’s a vulgar monstrosity, totally out of place, totally out of scale in medieval Ennis. It needs to go to the periphery of town. It is not suitable in the middle of beautiful, charming, medieval Ennis, with the River Fergus meandering through it,” another Save Ennis Town campaigner, Cora Hahessy, told RTE.
There was craic agus ceol at Saturday’s rally, with supporters dancing and singing in a lively display of support for what appears to be a growing campaign, with hundreds in attendance for the rally which began and ended with traditional music from the Height.
The rallying call at Saturday’s event was one of “Together, we can Save Ennis Town,” with a number of politicians present at the rally, including Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, Mayor of Ennis MD Cllr Pat Daly of Fianna Fail, Independent Cllr Gerry Flynn, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) and Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG).
A number of local election candidates were in attendance, including Amanda Major (IND) Antionette Baker Bashua (FF) and Seamus Ryan (LAB) as well as a number of MEP candidates.
John O’Connor, Chair of Retailers of Ennis, told the crowd that Ennis 2040 DAC lacked accountability and transparency, and had displayed an unwillingness to engage with the public.
Mr O’Connor said that locals had been left dismayed at the lack of regard shown by Ennis DAC to the concerns raised by members of the community and retailers.
Urging people to make their voices count in the upcoming European elections, he told the crowd: “We have a voice, we definitely have a voice on the 7th of June. Look kindly on the people who are with us, not the people who call us bananas.”
O’Connor was referencing comments made by a sitting councillor, who this week said that Save Ennis Town supporters were “bananas.”
As reported by The Clare Echo, Fianna Fail councillor Clare Colleran Molloy was critical of the candidates attached to the Save Ennis Town group. Speaking during The Electoral Chair’s election debate earlier this week, Cllr Colleran said: “Some of the candidates that are Save Ennis Town are in my opinion bananas because they don’t want to build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything.”
Cllr Molloy was on the steering committee which developed the strategy, and is currently a board member of Ennis 2040 DAC.
Retired teacher Joan Duggan, presenting a petition with 3,700 signatures on behalf of the campaign, told Saturday’s rally that campaigners had been called “bananas” and “potholes with ulterior motives.”
“But our only motive is to save your town for the future generations,” she said, “Your children, your grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great grandchildren.”
“Are you the people, in 2024, that are going to be responsible for the heart of Ennis dying. Please get out on the 7th June,” she said, urging attendees to vote in the upcoming elections.
Ms Duggan presented the petition to the Mayor of Ennis, as she reiterated calls for sitting councillors to stop plans to build on Abbey Street Car Park and Harvey’s Quay car park from going ahead.
Local senators and TDs have previously raised concerns about the contentious development plans, including warnings about the plan’s commercial remit and the potential to displace businesses in the area.