Municipal district's new chairman vows to campaign for more gardaí for Carrick-on-Suir

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s new Cathaoirleach has pledged to campaign for more gardaí to be assigned to Carrick-on-Suir town during his term.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Kieran Bourke made lobbying for increased garda numbers his top priority for the next year after he was elected unopposed to the office of Cathaoirleach at Carrick-on-Suir MD’s annual meeting in Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall last Thursday.

He took over the chains of office of the district's Cathaoirleach from outgoing fellow Carrick-on-Suir councillor David Dunne of Sinn Féin after being proposed for the position by fellow Fianna Fáil councillor Imelda Goldsboro and seconded by Cllr Dunne.

This is Cllr Bourke’s first time to serve as Cathaoirleach of Carrick MD. He was the last councillor to serve as Mayor of the former Carrick-on-Suir Town Council before its abolition in 2014 under radical local government reforms.

Cllr Dunne, meanwhile, was elected unopposed as Leas-Cathaoireach of Carrick MD. He was proposed and seconded to the role by Independent Cllr Kevin O’Meara and seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Mark Fitzgerald.

In his inaugural speech as Cathaoirleach, Cllr Bourke said he intended to use his position as chairman to “raise and expose” the huge lack of garda numbers in Carrick-on-Suir town.

“Carrick’s population is 6,500 people and is policed by only four gardaí and two sergeants. Despite several requests made over a number of years for adequate garda numbers to be assigned to Carrick town, unfortunately this hasn’t happened. We used to have 16 gardaí to police the town.”

The Carrick-on-Suir councillor pointed out that the number of gardaí in Carrick-on-Suir has fallen in recent years despite the fact the town’s population has grown and become more multi-cultural.

“I am going to use my voice as chairman of the district to highlight at every opportunity the need to have more gardai in this town. I look forward to the year ahead,” he added.

Cllr Bourke also used his first speech to outline a long list of positive ongoing and upcoming projects being rolled out in Carrick-on-Suir town and district.

Topping the list was the €17.8m Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration Scheme, which will get underway in August followed by the upgrade of the N24 in Carrick-on-Suir and N76 valued at more than €4m together and the development of the €7m Fethard Town Park that was officially opened the previous Sunday by Minister Heather Humphreys.

He pointed to the Village Enhancement Plans being prepared for Mullinahone, Ballingarry and Killenaule and Tipperary County Council’s recent purchase of the Goldcrop derelict site along Carrick-on-Suir’s Quay and its plan to draw up a master plan for its redevelopment.

The building of a new Gaelscoil primary school in Carrick-on-Suir and study into feasibility of connecting the Suir Blueway with the Waterford Greenway were also cited by Cllr Bourke. If such a connection went ahead, it would be a “game changer” for Carrick-on-Suir and surrounding areas, he said.

Cllr Bourke was congratulated on his election as Cathaoirleach by fellow councillors, council officials and Tipperary County

Council CEO Joe MacGrath who attended the annual meeting. Carrick MD Director of Services Brian Beck said Cllr Bourke was taking over as Cathaoirleach at a very exciting time for the district and the council was very committed to delivering on the projects he highlighted in his speech.

Mr MacGrath said Cllr Bourke brought huge experience to the position of Cathaoirleach and wished him every success in the position over the next year.

“You just outlined an eye watering list of projects in the district that are either about to start, have started or are due to be completed.

“I am delighted with the progress made in the district. We are ambitious collectively as officials and councillors for the towns and rural areas of the county. We will continue to go after every possible opportunity for investment. It looks like it’s going to be a very exciting year.”

Tributes were paid by councillors and officials to outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Dunne, who was praised for fulfilling his role with great diligence over the past year.

He said it had been a great privilege and honour to chair the municipal district and he really enjoyed the year during which he attended many events. He thanked his fellow councillors and council staff for all their support.