Roscrea protestors joined by Dáil Deputy and local Councillor

IT has been a season of protests and public demonstrations in Roscrea and local people took to the streets again on Saturday and were joined by elected representatives from Tipperary.

Independent TD and member of the Dáil's group of rural independents, Mattie McGrath and local independent County Councillor and member of the Lowry Team, Shane Lee, joined protestors on Castle Street in Roscrea on Saturday afternoon.

The demonstration held in the shadow of Roscrea Castle in very cold and wet weather and saw approximately 60 local people voice their concerns at the event which was organised on social media.

Pictured at Saturday's protest demonstration in Roscrea town centre are Independent Tipperary TD, Deputy Mattie McGrath and local woman Arlene Feehily. Photos: PJ Wright

Organiser of the recent protest outside Roscrea Garda Station by local women highlighting their concerns about safety and Garda manpower, Maria Phelan, led Saturday's demonstration after they assembled in the Lourdes Road carpark and marched through the Roscrea Centre to Castle Street.

Deputy McGrath was critical of Justice Minister Helen McEntee's statements relating to Roscrea during his short address and said he has pleaded with her and Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman to visit the town and speak with local people. He said debate in the Dail around the immigration issue is being stifled.

Deputy McGrath said he raised the issue of Garda resources and manpower with the District's Chief Superintendent and was not satisfied with his response. “I'm not blaming the Gardaí” he stressed, adding that the Superintendent and Garda Commissioner need to “stand with the people of Roscrea”.

Pictured above at the protest on Castle Street in Roscrea on Saturday last are Tipperary Independent TD, Deputy Mattie McGrath (centre) and local Independent Councillor, Shane Lee (right) addressing people who braved the very wet and cold weather to voice their concerns. Photo: PJ Wright

Cllr. Shane Lee described the decision to repurpose the Racket Hall Hotel as a “killer blow” for the town and said neither Ministers McEntee or O'Gorman have acknowledged his attempts to open contact.

“They don't want to listen”, Cllr. Lee said and pushed back against claims of racism. “Roscrea has integrated people into the town for 25 years - this is about services and balance”, he said.

Protestors discuss their concerns with elected representatives. Photo: PJ Wright