The people of South East Clare have been making their opposition to any boundary change known to the committee considering local government changes in Limerick.
The deadline for submissions to the Limerick local government committee passed last night, and many residents of Meelick, Parteen and Clonlara took the opportunity to record their feelings while a number of Clare politicians have also put their views in writing.
Many local representatives have made submissions voicing their staunch opposition to a boundary change including Killaloe area councillors Pat Burke, Cathal Crowe and Joe Cooney who highlighted the fear that local GAA clubs in South East Clare could be adversely affected, reiterating the view that not an inch should be given to Limerick.
Fine Gael TD’s Pat Breen and Joe Carey have also formally backed Clare County Council’s stance, and many local residents have also had their say.
Elizabeth Kelly hopes the people of Clare will be heard saying she won’t "accept the bully boy tactics besieged against us over this boundary extension".
Paul Walsh from Meelick highlights the closure of services at Ennis General Hospital and fears "the encroachment of our land and heritage in Clare is under threat" while Jacinta Kilmartin says she’s proud to have grown up in the area and feels her identity could be compromised.
Miriam McCormick says the people of Parteen/Meelick/Clonlara are hugely attached to their heritage and says "those who have tried to change boundaries in the past have caused wars"
