Council accused of "washing their hands of responsibility"

Sinn Féin Councillor Padraig Fallon has accused Leitrim County Council of “washing their hands of responsibility” and passing it onto local community groups.

Cllr Fallon proposed that works be carried out to the parking area at the old courthouse, Drumkeerin, “specifically this area needs to be tarred.”
The council responded at the Manorhamilton Municipal Meeting on Monday, September 17 saying “Funding for the development of a carpark here should be sought under the CLÁR Programme. Staff from Leitrim County Councils Economic Development Department are available to assist a Community Group to make an application under this programme.”

Cllr Fallon slammed the council for their “all too common suggestion.”
He said the council are “washing their hands of responsibility, this is a Leitrim County Council property.”
He said a community group would need to find match funding under such a CLÁR programme and he outlined that Drumkeerin Youth Group has done “extensive fundraising for the total refurbishment of this building.”
He asked for the motion to be reviewed and said he hears this reply from the council all too often.
“The local authority want local voluntary groups to do everything” he commented.

He was backed by Cllr Mary Bohan who complimented recent works at the courthouse but said the gravel at the back “is not adequate.”
She said this North Connacht Youth Club has almost the biggest membership in the county for a small rural area.

Cllr Fallon explained the building is being leased by the council to North Connacht Youth Club for a Drumkeerin Youth Café.
He said major works are going on to refurbish the floors and roof. He added there has been so much fundraising done locally and the youth group cannot be expected to source more money.
North Connaught Youth & Community Services received LEADER funding for the provision of a youth café as a dedicated space for young people in Drumkeerin.

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