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21st January 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 02 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Balbriggan Says No To Library Move Brigid Dervan addressing the public meeting
A public meeting was held in Balbriggan on Wednesday last, where locals expressed their anger and disgust at the County Council’s decision to relocate the town’s Carnegie Library. The plan is to move the library from it’s current location in the Town Hall, to Gallen’s Mill, in order to facilitate the Department of Social Protection’s move into the Town Hall. It is also proposed to locate a museum in Gallen’s Mill also. The meeting, which was held in the Milestone Pub in the town, attracted a very large gathering of local citizens, many of whom voiced their
revulsion at the plans to move the library. The meeting was attended by people from all walks of Balbriggan society, as well as community activists, local representatives and local election candidates, who took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Balbriggan electorate. This is a hugely emotive issue for the people of Balbriggan, who regard the library as a focal point and a landmark building, that has been used by generations of Balbriggan residents and it is clear that a raw nerve has been touched by this decision. The meeting came about as a result of a facebook campaign that was initiated
Pictured is a section of the large crowd, who turned out at Balbriggan Library last Saturday, to protest against the proposed moving of the library to Gallen's Mill, leaving the Council in no doubt about their feelings.
by local woman, Brigid Dervan. She told the County Leader about why she became involved. “The library has been part of my life since I was a young girl. I have used it down through the years. My children have used it and their children are also users of the library. The whole square has been changed all down the years, and one of the good changes has been the wonderful library facilities. This meeting is not just about the library, it is to set up a new forum for Balbriggan, in order that the people get more of a say in what happens in the town.”
“I believe that for many years, The County Council made decisions and just landed them on us. They closed down Black Rock beach, where I swam as a child, then the diving board and the prom. There is a human face to this, and the County Council has forgotten this,” she said. A burning question that was on the lips of many people was why the Department of Social Protection could not have been facilitated at Gallen’s Mills, an area many regard as unsuitable as a location for the library. Continued on page 12
Former County Mayor and well known politician, Cathal Boland has decided to make a dramatic return to politics. Boland, who has over 20 years experience serving the local community in the local authority, has decided to re-enter local politcal life and run in the upcoming local elections, as a non-party candidate for the Balbriggan Electoral Ward. His inclusion in the race is certain to add a new dimension to proceedings. This news will come as a surprise to many, but Boland, who will be arguably the most seasoned politician to enter the fray, with a wealth of experience, is very passionate about certain issues in the North County that are not being adequately addressed, as he explained to the County Leader.
By Patrick Finnegan
Boland Throws Hat Back Into The Ring Local election candidate, Cathal Boland (NP) is pictured at the entrance to Lusk Round Tower, which he feels needs to be opened up.
“I have decided to stand as a non-party candidate, because I believe there is a major deficit in how the council is interacting with the public. This year, the number of councillors to be elected in the Balbriggan Ward, has increased from five to eight and I think that its important that, as the Council expands from 24 to 40 members, that those who have experience and vision and have done it before, are available to lend their support to shaping the future of the county. When the Council was first established in 1994, it was perceived to be the lame duck of the four local authorities in Dublin. I played my part in positioning the Council to be capable of funding themselves and how the Council operated and delivered value for money. Boland’s vast wealth of experience includes serving two terms as Mayor,
1998-1999 and 2001-2002, as well as serving as Deputy Mayor in 1997/98, and being Chair of the Local Area Committee, covering the Swords/Balbriggan area, which is one of the proposed municipal areas within the Council. Boland views his service of 21 years as a county councillor as a great advantage when it comes to serving the community. “I retired prior to the 2004 local elections, having been involved at all levels of local politics and I still have the same enthusiasm and drive as before and the desire to see things done better. There is a wonderful opportunity for change with the expansion and devolution of powers under the new proposals. This is an opportunity to make things better than before,” he said. The main streets of our towns, particularly Balbriggan and Swords are dying. We need to restore them to places where we bring the community together to shop and regenerating businesses back onto the main streets. The Government has got to allow local authorities to levy rates. I believe that a change in the law would allow the Council to put in Rate Equalisation variations, which is the way forward. Continued on page 17