Bantry Cllr Danny Collins slammed for raising Bandon issue at Council meeting

BY JACKIE KEOGH

A BANTRY-based councillor was rebuked for raising a motion about traffic problems outside a primary school in Bandon.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind) called for ‘a solution in relation to major problems regarding traffic management at Bandonbridge National School’ at a meeting of the Western Committee of Cork County Council.

The councillor complained that faded road markings, the lack of a proper footpath, and the school’s proximity to the N71, was ‘a nightmare’ for pupils attending the school.

However, he welcomed the fact that he had received an email, a few days before the meeting, saying that some works would be carried out shortly. 

Cllr James O’Donovan (FG) reminded Cllr Collins that ‘this is a Municipal District matter,’ meaning that the Western Committee, which primarily deals with housing issues and is attended by public representatives from the West Cork Municipal District and the Kinsale/Bandon Municipal District, was the proper venue.

‘It has been discussed at length at our Bandon/Kinsale Municipal District,’ he added. With arched eyebrows, Cllr O’Donovan described the motion tabled by Cllr Collins as ‘timely, now that work is going ahead in respect of the footpath and road markings.’

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) – who is also a member of the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal District – said: ‘I am surprised at the motion’ and he asked how Cllr Collins would respond if he started tabling motions about matters pertaining to Schull.

The Kinsale-based public representative pointed out that Cllr Collins ‘has no seat on the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal District’ and he suggested that they ‘make sure that members stay in their own areas.’ 

He expressed his vexation at ‘motions coming in when work is being done,’ and suggested that the decision to put the motion on the agenda for the meeting ‘should be allowed first day.’

Cllr Rachel McCarthy (SF) also commented on the fact that ‘a lot of work has been done over the years with regard to trying to improve the traffic situation at Bandonbridge National School.’ 

She said meetings have been held on a monthly basis because ‘this is an ongoing issue.’

She said: ‘We are working to find a solution,’ and she welcomed the fact that some traffic management solutions were approved in the week leading up to the Western Committee meeting.

Cllr Collins explained his reasons for tabling the motion. He said he knew a parent of one of the children attending the school and was concerned for the safety of the children. He was also responding to an email he received from the principal at the school, he added.