Castlebar councillors pass trading bye-laws despite absence of toilets

Mayo councillors have adopted new casual trading bye-laws for Castlebar despite calls for the provision of toilets facilities in trading areas being rejected.

An update of the casual trading bye-laws for Castlebar were presented to members of the Castlebar Municipal District which included a new trading area at the Lough Lannagh Car Park. The other areas where casual trading will be allowed include Hopkins Road Car Park; Market Square Plaza and Castle Lane.

The new bye-laws were welcomed by the majority of the councillors apart from Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne who stated he would not support them unless there was a provision for the inclusion of a toilet facilities at each of the areas.

“I won't support it without toilets because I don't know how many people have come to me and other councillors as well saying there are no toilets around. Even in the biggest one in Market Square there are toilets and we were promised them 20 years ago,” he said.

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Head of the Municipal District, David Mellet explained that it was not feasible to have toilets in all the locations and due to practical constraints they would not be included in the bye-laws. He agreed that they will try to provide them in locations where it is feasible.

However, Cllr Kilcoyne said this was not good enough and felt it was not right that elderly people who attend these markets could not go to the toilet.

He was supported by Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin but the other councillors rejected their proposal.

Independent councillor Harry Barrett called for the bye-laws to be passed without delay saying that he would like to see Lough Lannagh opened up for trade.

“I would like to see the coffee dock in place in Lough Lannagh as soon as possible. We have been delayed quite a long time on this and I propose we move quickly on this,” he said.

Fine Gael councillor Donna Sheridan agreed, saying that there were toilets in the leisure centre in Lough Lannagh which people can use while Cllr Cyril Burke commented that Cllr Kilcoyne was asking them to pass an amendment without a budget in place.

Cllr Kilcoyne claimed the fee paid by the traders will pay for the upkeep of toilets but Cllr Sheridan rubbished the suggestion.

“Will we bring €10,000 in this?” asked Cllr Sheridan. “That won't build many toilets...you wouldn't even tile a toilet for €10,000.”

The Fine Gael councillor added: “While it is not ideal it is definitely a move forward. Perfection is the enemy of the good and this is a good opportunity. We all wanted a coffee dock at Lough Lannagh for some time and there are toilets there. I would not agree to toilets 24/7 because at times toilets in public can lead to anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Kilcoynes proposal to amend the bye-laws were defended with support only coming from Cllr Gavin and the bye-laws were subsequently adopted by the municipal district members.

The annual fee for casual trading at Lough Lannagh is €2,0000 for five days of the week while the fee for Market Square for Saturdays is €1,600; Hopkins Road is €1,200 and Castle Lane is €950.

The annual fee for food markets on Fridays at Hopkins Road and Market Square is €800 per annum and €500 per annum at Castle Lane.