A minor pre-election political row broke out between the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors at the last ever Ballinrobe electoral are committee meeting this week.
Cllr Damien Ryan blasted Mayo County Council for releasing its decision to make Ballinrobe a free parking town on May 4 through the Fine Gael representative Cllr Patsy O’Brien.
Cllr Ryan said he supported the move which was in conjunction with Ballinrobe’s business day (which saw local businesses offer special offers and reductions for the day ) but he said it shouldn’t have been politicised by the council.
“I was annoyed that the three councillors weren’t notified simultaneously,” he said, and added that he believed that a half hour or one hour’s parking should be available in Ballinrobe to assist businesses.
However, Cllr O’Brien disagreed wholeheartedly. He said the decision to not charge for parking on that designated day was made because he had submitted a request for it to the council. He said that’s why the decision was communicated through him. He told Cllr Ryan he and Cllr Harry Walsh could make any requests they wish.
Cllr Walsh said he never supported parking charges and there was no necessity for them now because there were no retail premises left in the town. “It’s a revenue raising operation,” he added.
