Protest to be staged over bridge vehicle ban in Ballina-Killaloe

A PROTEST against the closure of the old bridge over the River Shannon at Ballina-Killaloe to motorised traffic for a trial period is set to take place in the locality this Friday evening.

The protest is being organised by local man Eddie O’ Gorman, who said the wishes of many local people were ignored when Clare and Tipperary County Councils implemented a trial pedestrianisation of the crossing.

The trial began on Monday last and will continue until Friday, October 17. It follows the opening in May of a new multi-million euro bridge over the Shannon about 1km downstream of the old bridge.

The two local authorities say the trial pedestrianisation of the old bridge will allow residents and visitors to walk or cycle between the two towns without vehicles being present. They said it was hoped that the trial would further strengthen the bond between Ballina and Killaloe.Mr O’ Gorman said the protest is aimed at seeking consultation and more transparency from the two local authorities on the trial pedestrianisation. “This protest is our way of saying once and for all, ‘lads listen to us. Talk to us, were not unreasonable - we’re nice people’”, he said.

He added: “We have had unrestricted travel from Killaloe to Ballina for close on 400 years along that bridge and the previous bridge, and what’s being proposed is restricted travel.”

Mr O’ Gorman said people need to be consulted on the trial. “My problem is we’re not being asked if we want it or do not want it.”

He felt most people in the community did not read the details issued by the authorities on the trial pedestrianisation of the bridge. “I know they are saying people had their chances. But most people did not read the proposals, and even those that did - we’re not engineers . . . we did not understand it,” said Mr O’ Gorman.

“All I’m asking for is to be listened to - have our representatives be listened to,” he said.

He claimed that local public representatives who spoke up for those against the pedestrianisation of the bridge were ignored.

Mr O’ Gorman, an Independent Ireland candidate in the Newport Electoral Area in last year’s local elections, said he was cynical about the assertion by the two councils that it was just going to be a trial pedestrianisation as it appeared to him that “permanent signs” had been erected.

He said the community should have more of a say in how public funds in Ballina-Killaloe are spent, for example on the deployment of council road workers and on issues such as increasing grass cutting in public areas and cleaning of the “wonderful stone walls” in the locality. “We live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country and we would like to keep it that way,” said Mr O' Gorman.

Those intending to take part in Friday’s protest have been asked to gather at the Clarisford 3G pitch in Killaloe at 7.15pm. A march will then take place across the old bridge to the Ballina side before returning to Killaloe.

Mr O’ Gorman has notified local TDs and councillors about the protest. “I am looking for your backing on this, there is strength in numbers,” he told them in a post on social media.

“Let us have a say on the future of the bridge”, he wrote.

Speaking in a video posted on his Facebook page, he added that the staging of a plebiscite would help to get the real opinions of the people on the issue.