Kilkenny fully supports multi–county opposition to any funding cuts by the Government to the rural bus system, according to Thomastown Cllr Michael O’Brien.
Cllr O’Brien told a meeting of concerned citizens from the Rural Transport Passenger Action Group’ at a meeting in Clonmel recently that it would be unacceptable to cut funding for rural transport as proposed in the Bord Snip Nua report.
The chairman of Kilkenny County Council was accompanied by fellow Councillors John Brennan, Maurice Shortall, Fidelias Doherty, Ann Phelan, Pat Crowley Marie Fitzpatrick, Tomás Breathnach and several busloads of concerned people from all over Kilkenny who converged on Clonmel in support of the Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny Rural Transport Passenger Action Group’ protest against any curtailment of the ‘Ring-a-Link’ service.
From one of the largest public protests seen in the south-east for many years, came varied examples of definite hardship from people who depend on this type of mobility.
Among the vocal and huge crowd were pleas from people with special needs whose quality of life will be severely reduced if the ‘An Bord Snip Nua’ proposals are implemented – even in part.
Cllr O’Brien told the meeting that a constituent of his living in a rural area of Kilkenny told him that the development of the ring-a-link service was like release from jail for her. He said that the huge attendance and strength of a south-east regional perspective was a comfort to those who are worried. “It now appears that the powers that be are hell-bent on imposing a jail sentence on a whole lot of disadvantaged people.”
