Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District have backed a motion from Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly, calling on Mayo County Council to proceed with the development of Mayo's first off-leash dog park in Ballina.
Cllr Munnelly told the meeting the idea was raised with him by a number of constituents, who told him that such an amenity would be very beneficial for both dog owners and the dogs, where they could be exercised and play with other dogs in a safe fenced off area. While such a park would need to be between an acre or two in size, Cllr Munnelly told the meeting that he felt such a park would not require much maintenance.
Cllr Munnelly's motion was met with widespread support from his fellow councillors, with independent councillor Mark Duffy seconding the motion. Cllr John O'Hara also backed it, saying he had put forward a similar motion a number of years ago, while Cllr Annie May Reape also spoke in favour of it.
