Large crowds marched on Arás Chontae An Chláír this afternoon demanding the protection of six cottages on Francis Street in Ennis.
The protest, organised by the Francis Street Alliance, is aiming to prevent the abolition of the houses in the county town, which are provisionally set to make way for a temporary car park under the Ennis 2040 plan.
A large amalgamtion of concerned citizens, activist groups and politicians descended upon Áras Chontae An Chláir this afternoon, united in their call to prevent the demolition of six unnocupied and derelict buildings in Ennis.
The cottages on Francis Street in the county town are provisionally due to be knocked to make way for a temporary car park as part of the Ennis 2040 project, with further plans to build a mixed used development at the site thereafter.
The proposal to abolish the dwellings, particularly amid the housing crisis, has raised concern in some quarters.
In March, Independent Deputy Michael McNamara brought the issue to the attention of the Tánaiste in Dáil Eireann who signalled further consulation with the Minster for Housing on the matter.
At last months meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, meanwhile, Councillors Tom O’Callaghan , Johnny Flynn and Pat Daly were narrowly defeated in their motion seeking for Ennis 2040 DAC to rethink the Abbey Street Redevelopment plans.
The local debate was ahead of the lifting of the eviction ban, at a time when the latest available figures show 2,823 households are on the local authority’s social housing list.
Shannon based Sinn Féín councillor Donna McGettigan, who addressed today’s gathering, claims prioritising a temporary car park over permanent housing is a blantant disregard of the county’s housing need.
The county wide housing crisis was not the only concern for the large crowd of protestors at the council building.
Community activist Dermot Hayes, who spoke today representing the Clare Leader Forum, says buildings such as the cottages on Francis Street are vital to ensure access to public amenities for the disabled community.
You can listen to protestors speaking at today’s event below.
