Councillors not feeling the ‘Love’ over Lough Lannagh

Councillors not feeling the ‘Love’ over Lough Lannagh


Edwin McGreal

Castlebar district councillors have become embroiled in a row over the usage of Lough Lannagh in the town with one councillor saying sporting activities there are killing wildlife and a recent festival had music which was ‘too loud’.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne (Ind) said he had received representations that a festival organised by Love Castlebar at Lough Lannagh some weeks ago had music which was ‘too loud’.
He also said people had expressed concerns to him that some outdoor activities from GMIT students at Lough Lannagh ‘are not healthy for the lake’ and many of the birds based there.
Cllr Blackie Gavin (FF) agreed with him however Cllrs Lisa Chambers (FF) and Therese Ruane (SF) took serious issue with the claims.
“Get over this! How many people contacted you Michael,” asked Cllr Chambers. Cllr Kilcoyne said a ‘sizeable’ amount and one organisation. Cllr Chambers replied that ‘there has to be a filter for representations we get’.
Cllr Gavin said ‘Cllr Kilcoyne has his finger on the pulse here’ and said he had also received representations.
Cllr Ruane refuted their comments and said that while the lake has to be protected, the people from GMIT using the lake for kayaking and water polo are ‘ardent environmentalists themselves’ who are ‘so sensitive to preserving nature’.
Cllr Kilcoyne asked why had swans disappeared from the lake. Cllr Ruane replied that they had died as people were feeding them white bread.
Cllr Chambers said that when she hears a criticism of loud music, she takes this to be aimed at young people, who she says have the same right to use the lake as anyone and said the Love Castlebar festival was ‘a wonderful event’.
Cllr Al McDonnell (FF) said he was very familiar with nature, both on land and on water and said ‘man and wildlife can co-exist’ and that he would ‘be amazed if kayakers were the enemies of the wildlife on Lough Lannagh’.