Criticism of Tipperary County Council and its CEO at #March4Tipp rejected at meeting

Criticism of Tipperary County Council and CEO  Joe MacGrath at Saturday’s protest march in Tipperary town were rejected at a meeting of the Tipperary Cashel Muncipal District on Monday.

Fianna Fail councillor Roger Kennedy said the council had no magic wand to cure the town's ills while chairman Michael Fitzgerald said things were said at the march that he couldn't agree with.

Meanwhile District Director Claire Curley said the council was working 'relentlessly, day in, day' for the town.

Chairman Michael Fitzgerald  defended the record of the local authority at the meeting, while stressing that Tipperary town is a priority for the Council and elected representatives. 

March4Tipp organiser Padraig Culbert  had criticised Co. Council CEO Joe MacGrath’s record in Tipperary and local engineers at Saturday’s rally. 

Cllr  Fitzgerald congratulated the organisers “on such a huge march of support for the town.” 

He added - “I know our Council came in for criticism but we can all work more closely to improve everything. Things were said off the side of a stage that I could not agree with.” 

He said the  timeline of two weeks to let Mr MacGrath respond to organisers' demands, was not “realistic”.

He added that there was a planned visit by Industry Minister Heather Humphreys to the area. 

Cllr Fitzgerald added - “We know we have to work hard to make things happen. I hate to see the decline of the town, like the closure of Wellworths. We are doing our level best to try to encourage and support it..  A renewed effort will be made by the Minister, including looking at the Pall and the old Atari factory site”.

 Cllr Denis Leahy said Saturday’s protest had been “grumbling for the last 12 months.” 

He claimed that the elimination of the Town Councils, the re-unification of County Tipperary, and the equalisation of business rates, had all served to downgrade the status of Tipperary town, and cause hardship. The Town Councils had the weaponry to combat these things, he said.  

“I have no doubt Tipperary will rise again,” said Cllr Leahy. “There are opportunities there. We need employment. I have great faith in the people of Tipperary, in the businesses of Tipperary. We have to look at the idea of a task force.” 

Cllr John Crosse said politicians and business people shouldn’t be afraid to make tough decisions, “that may affect one business, but would  help 10 to 15 businesses develop.” 

Cllr Mary Hannah Hourigan congratulated Padraig Culbert on a peaceful and well organised march, but said CEO Joe MacGrath “got the biggest rap” in Mr Culbert’s speech. 

Cllr Hourigan criticised the rates system, but said she used to have to pay “four and half thousand in rates” back when there was no painting schemes, and “you had to shovel the street yourself.” Empty pubs during the weeks had to be revived if Tipperary is to be renewed. 

Cllr Roger Kennedy said traders and organisers of the march were very critical of the Council. 

“It’s easy to criticise if you don’t sit down and see what’s being done. More needs to be done, it’s a slow burner. We cannot take one decision that will change everything for everyone in Tipperary town. We have no magic wand.”

Cllr Kennedy asked “how do we sell Tipperary better” as a destination for investment, and “infrastructure is vital. When you get the infrastructure you get the jobs.” Better connections to Limerick are vital, as “Limerick city is the driving force for the west Tipperary area.”