Those behind fake letters of support for a planned motorway plaza on the outskirts of Ennis are being called on to come forward.
It’s after Supermacs admitted it agreed to reimburse local residents who made submissions in favour of it’s proposed ten million euro development at Kilbrecken.
But no money has been paid out by the company, which has condemned the fraudulent letters and distanced itself from them.
Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry has more.
Last week, 187 submissions were received by Clare County Council in support of the controversial development at Kilbrecken close to motorway junction 12, but 14 have since been withdrawn, after people said they did not sign the letters sent in their name themselves.
In a statement to Clare FM, Supermac’s Ireland Ltd says the company was offered support for its planning application by some locals, who asked the company to reimburse the €20 submission fee.
It goes on to say that believing at the time that the submissions would be fully legitimate, the company agreed to pay the Planning Authority fee, however, they stress that no money has been paid by the company to date.
It has emerged in recent days that one of the submissions was signed in the name of Clarecastle resident Paddy Russell, who passed away 15 years ago.
His daughter Ann Marie says the controversy has had a terrible impact on her whole family.
Supermac’s says the company is horrified to learn from the media that the support exercise was not conducted legitimately and disowns the actions taken.
It’s told Clare FM, that it wants to distance itself completely from those involved, and in such circumstances, will not pay the Planning Authority submission fees.
Within the community, calls have now been made for those reponsible for the fake letters to come forward – Ann Marie Russell says she wants action.
