Fury over bar from Ballina-Killaloe bridge opening

Ballina and Killaloe residents were left saddened, disappointed and angry that they were prevented from attending the official opening ceremony of the new Brian Ború bridge across the River Shannon on Thursday of last week.

Barriers manned by gardaí were erected on both ends of the bridge as Transport Minister Darragh O' Brien prepared to cut the ribbon midway over the crossing to mark the opening.

Yvonne Moloney, a mother of two young boys who lives in Ballina, told this newspaper that she and many others were bitterly disappointed after being prevented access to the new bridge to attend the opening ceremony.

“About 300 people turned up because there was no indication given beforehand that the opening was going to be private,” said Ms Moloney.

She said local people had taken time off work and children flocked to the new bridge once the school day ended to witness the historic event – only to have their way barred.

“It was just very disappointing. Both sides of the bridge on the Killaloe and Balllina side were literally barricaded,” said Ms Moloney.

She said members of An Garda Síochana and security staff were stopping people at the barriers.

“There were a lot of disappointed people. A lot of people were going mad about it on Facebook and other social media.”

ANGRY AND SADDENED

Ms Moloney said she was angry and saddened over the fact that she and other locals were prevented from attending the ceremony, especially after all the disruption they put up with during the course of construction of the new bridge over the past three years.

“You just felt like a second-class citizen in your own locality. I wanted to have my two boys down there at the opening.

“And there was a lot of older people in their 80s and 90s who were stopped attending. There's a lot of upset around over it,” Ms Moloney revealed.

“It was just a bit disrespectful that local people were not felt welcomed while public representatives where there back-slapping themselves and saying they were after doing a great job.”

Ms Moloney said it would be great now if the two county councils involved in the project – Clare and Tipperary - made up for the wrong done to the community by organising a family day for local people to celebrate the bridge opening.

Local people who spoke to this newspaper said a group of approximately ten people with Palestinian flags were present with a loudspeaker and had planned to mount a protest.

GAZA HIGHLIGHTED

Sinead Jackson (36) said she was not a member of any grouping, but had travelled out from Limerick on her own individual initiative to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people in war-torn Gaza.

She said she managed to get past the barriers and make her way to the centre of the bridge where the official opening ceremony was about to take place. She wanted to raise awareness about the “holocaust” that was currently taking place in Gaza.

She confirmed that she interrupted Minister Darragh O' Brien during the course of his speech. “I spoke up about the holocaust and particularly for the Palestinian people and the 14,000 children who are literally being starved to death in Gaza,” she said.

She said she felt morally responsible to tackle the minister on the issue.

Ms Jackson confirmed that she was removed from the scene by the gardaí.

Fianna Fáil Clare TD, Cathal Crowe, was among several politicians who attended the opening. He acknowledged that many were upset and annoyed that there were crowd restrictions in place at the opening ceremony and that they were unable to attend.

He said it was regrettable that locals were barred from attending the ceremony.

“I imagine the fact that a protest was taking place maybe had something to do with it, but that's just a hunch I have.”

KELLY'S REACTION

Labour Party TD Alan Kelly said the opening was one of the proudest days in his political career. He pointed out that he was responsible as a senior minister in having funding for the scheme included in the 2015 National Devepment Plan.

Last Thursday was a day to recognise all involved for the work and time that had gone into ensuring this fantastic piece of infrastructure. However, he said he had no role in organising the actual events of the day.

“As I understand it, the lead authority on managing the bridge contract and construction - Clare County Council - also took the lead on organising the event. It was only on the day of the opening that I was even aware that there would be barriers up blocking local people from accessing the bridge.

“I was aware there would be a ceremony and that Minister O’Brien would officiate. I expected members of councils, departmental officials, those who worked on the contract to be present and understood some elderly local people would be facilitated for seating.

“When I saw that crowds were gathering at the barriers I asked multiple times that consideration should really be given to allowing these local residents come up along the bridge and observe events.

"I was told very directly this wasn’t going to be possible. I repeated my request. I feel this was wrong and I was very uncomfortable with seeing local people being excluded from such a historical event. This was especially the case given the level of disruption that local people put up with while the three years of construction took place. It really took away hugely from what should have been a memorable day for everyone,” said Deputy Kelly.

He added that the bridge will be transformative for the area and was delighted that it is finally open. “I think it’s time now to allow the communities of both Ballina-Killaloe some time to enjoy it.”

COUNCIL RESPONDS

Responding to the controversy, Clare County Council, stated: “As is standard practice for such events, local elected representatives were invited to attend to represent their communities, with some local people also invited as numbers allowed. The teams that worked on building the bridge and bypass, and the R494 improvement, were also in attendance.

“Media invites were issued to local and national media to attend also.

“These events have a limited number of attendees due to capacity and health and safety, irrespective of whether they are held indoors or outdoors. As stated, this was not an open public event, or advertised as such, as the bridge was not open to the public until 5.30pm, when it became a public thoroughfare.

“It is regretful that there seems to have been some confusion about this, and some people were therefore disappointed.  We hope that people had the opportunity to drive, walk and cycle across the Brian Ború Bridge when it was fully opened last evening, and have many happy and safe journeys across this magnificent piece of infrastructure for generations to come."

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

The following are just some edited extracts of posts from people that took social media to express their disappointment:

Patricia Cummins:  “It was absolutely disgraceful to disregard the local people. Everyone was looking forward to celebrating but were excluded while the politicians were slapping each other on the back, yet it was the people of Killaloe Ballina that put up with the inconveniences with the hope that it was a shared celebration...This was a historic day that everyone should have shared.”

Pippa Jane Newcome: “Could have been a great opportunity for local food (and other) businesses to make it a really lovely day for the whole town and those further afield who deserved to be there. But no.”

Lena O' Riordan: “Blocked out for politicians and their friends for photo opportunities, while the townspeople stood behind a barrier being turned away. Shame on every politician who claims to have the best interest of the townspeople and shame on the country councils of Tipperary and Clare.”

Paul O' Connor: “To think I brought my kids to this spectacle, only to stand behind a fence and gaze from a distance. Absolute disgrace! A great community moment robbed by politicians.”

Paul Brennan: “Absolutely shameful treatment of local residents that have endured two long years of disruption and access issues to their own houses. A simple gesture would have been to organise passes for the opening to be delivered to each house in the area. I am absolutely disgusted at the treatment of residents. Local political figures will see this reflected in voting at the next election.”