Limerick councillors lash out at plans to purchase mini-sweeper they don't want

THERE was a fair share of frustration at the November meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District, as councillors disagreed wholeheartedly with the Mayor over how to spend the remainder of the €100,000 Mayoral Fund allocated to the district for the rest of 2025.

The council had agreed to invest €30,000 in Christmas lights across the area. But that was about where the agreement ended.

The Mayoral office proposed that a shelter be installed in the Square, but when the matter came before councillors, they argued the money would be better spent resurfacing the Market Yard.

Cathaoirleach of the district, Cllr Michael Collins explained that plans were drawn up by council engineers for the proposed resurfacing but that before that could happen, Mayor John Moran made an executive call deciding the €70,000 left in the pot should instead be spent on a mini street sweeper.

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That decision didn’t go down well as councillors said they were being forced to spend money allocated to the improvement of Newcastle West on something they never asked for.

Cllr John Sheahan remarked that €70,000 would “barely buy the back axle of a sweeper, not to mind the brushes,” noting that a full machine could cost closer to €250,000. He also commented that the Newcastle West councillors were being treated like “bold boys” who didn’t play ball and were now being punished for it.

Cllr Liam Galvin said he feared members of the public would think the councillors had refused to use the money entirely. He argued that focusing on a shelter rather than resurfacing “practical areas” like the Market Yard would call their judgment into question.

Referring to the poor communication between the Mayor and local elected representatives, he said:  “If this kind of carry-on happened in primary school, you’d be saying lads, cop on and get your house in order.”

Cllr Francis Foley backed up that stance, insisting that resurfacing was far better value for money than a shelter that would “add little” to the town and clutter the square.

Meanwhile, Cllr Jerome Scanlan went a step further claiming the sweeper wasn’t even destined for Newcastle West at all, but for Patrickswell. “Once I heard that,” he said, “I withdrew my support entirely.”

Cllr Collins concluded the discussion of Christmas lights, resurfacing and sweepers by saying the situation was “complete madness” and that Newcastle West “does not need a mini street sweeper.”

“Historically, as a council we have worked together with previous mayors to oversee projects but with Mayor Moran, it’s his way or the highway”.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme