A large crowd descended on the offices of Áras Chontae An Chláir today for a protest with a difference.
As local traders and residents of Ennis engaged in a silent march demanding the protection of riverside car parks in the town.
The protest was organised by the Save Ennis Town Group and saw a large crowd of demonstrators gather by the Harmony row bridge on Fergus side from 9:30am this morning.
The group comprised of local traders and residents formed in July to show their opposition to a range of developments proposed in the Ennis 2040 plan.
Particularly the campaign is opposed to the redevelopment of the Abbey Street and Harvey’s Quay Car Parks, on which the special purpose vehicle of Clare County Council intend to develop mixed use amenities.
Addressing the group in advance of the silent march, Save Ennis Town Chairperson, Gearóid Mannion outlined their stance.
The campaigners were armed with a petition containing 3,500 signatures which would ultimately be presented to Mayor of Ennis and Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly.
A large cohort of local business people were among the signatories, who fear the potential loss of up to 126 parking spaces in Abbey Street would decimate commercial activity.
The Ennis 2040 DAC contend however that the projects will deliver 100 permanent jobs in the town when complete, while increasing visitor footfall by up to 20,000 shoppers per week.
Additionally the local authority has recently been granted planning permission for the development of a further 129 permanent spaces at the Cloister Carpark which is less than 200 metres away, while an additional 85 spaces will be delivered at Drumbiggle.
Although, Linda Brannigan from Eye Candy Opticians in the town believes vulnerable members of the community will be adversely affected.
Another major point of concern for the protest group is the potential abolition of a key civic space used for the Fleadh Ceoil Na hEireann in 2016 and 2017 as well as the Clare hurler’s All-Ireland winning homecoming.
Clare County Council has stated that Abbey Street’s parking bays will remain in situ for the foreseeable future and that a public consultation will take place on any drafted developments down the line.
However John O’Connor from Custy’s Music Shop in Ennis believes the days of major social events coming to the town are all but over.
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