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Council is facing court challenges on by-laws for market traders

February 14th, 2017 5:04 PM

By Kieran O'Mahony

Mac Dara Ó h-Icí highlighted Bantry Market as an example of how the laws can be implemented properly.

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Cork County Council has received notice that some parties have lodged appeals to the District Court over the proposed new casual trading by-laws.

CORK County Council has received notice that some parties have lodged appeals to the District Court over the proposed new casual trading by-laws. At a meeting of the Municipal District of West Cork in Clonakilty this week, Council official Mac Dara Ó h-Icí told councillors that the Council has received notice that some parties have lodged appeals to the District Court.

‘There has been a lot of engagement with the public on the casual trading by-law proposals and we received 50 written submissions, but we don’t know the substance of these appeals to the District Court,’ said Mr Ó h-Icí.

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said there was a lot of ‘nonsense’ about saving the Skibbereen market, when he pointed out that the casual trading by-laws will actually secure it for the future.

‘It’s about securing the market for everyone and the Council would own it and tarmac it and there has to be a balance too,’ said Cllr Carroll.

‘With regards horse fairs, you could have horse traders holding a tax clearance cert in one hand and holding a horse on the other hand, and that has to be dealt with differently.’

Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy (FF) described the fears about Skibbereen Market as a ‘ball of smoke.’

‘We’re actually making markets like Skibbereen better. We also have the case of people paying rates on their businesses in the town and then you have traders coming in who don’t pay any and who aren’t regulated,’ said Cllr Murphy.

Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) said he attended a meeting about Skibbereen Market and told people to send in their submissions rather than filling out petitions.

‘If the by-laws are enacted, it will solidify the future of markets throughout the county and we are not trying to jeopardise them,’ said Cllr Hayes.

Mac Dara Ó h-Icí told councillors that no markets will be closed down and highlighted Bantry Market as an example of how it can be implemented properly. 

‘All the submissions from everyone, from horse traders to stall holders, will be put into a report and will be seen by Cork County Council before any implementation.’

Mr Ó h-Icí also highlighted a pilot scheme that was put in place for Ballabuidhe Festival last year which, he said, brought it back to a ‘more user friendly’ festival.

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