Letterkenny businesses to receive more communication in advance of protests

Consultation will be required ahead of planned protests in Letterkenny in future.

Letterkenny-based Councillor Michael McBride brought a motion forward at the Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting that any planned public gatherings should be held in alternative locations to Letterkenny Main Street. However, this motion was amended to focus on informing stakeholders in advance of any future protests.

This comes after Letterkenny Chamber president Jimmy Stafford criticised a “lack of consultation” around road closures for two immigration-related protests that took place in Letterkenny Main Street on Bank Holiday Saturday.

The original motion stated that local businesses had “basically lost a full day's takings” on the day.

Cllr McBride acknowledged traders’ concerns and stressed that businesses should be better informed of planned protests taking place in the town. He said: “Traders got a leaflet on the Friday evening before the protests and I don’t think that works.

“Businesses should have a week or a week and a half’s notice in advance of planned protests to minimise damage to trade.

“I’m not trying to stop anybody from protesting and airing their views, but we have to look at a way to accommodate everybody.

“I don’t think the protests had any more impact being on the main street than anywhere else.”

Councillors were informed that the consent of Donegal County Council was not sought nor was it required by the organisers of the protest event that was held.

Cllr McBride also referenced a previous defective blocks protest which took place at Letterkenny Community Centre, commenting that it “didn’t close down Letterkenny.”

The discussion included input from Cllr Declan Meehan, who took part in counter-protest demonstrations. He said that a meeting requested by the council which would include the chamber and gardaí before the protests “wasn’t facilitated” as “gardaí couldn’t reveal their figurepoints for policing on the day.”

He added: “You cannot tell people where to protest, particularly in a public space.”

The original wording of the motion proved somewhat contentious as debate arose over distinguishing between a ‘planned gathering’ and a ‘protest’. Cathaoirleach Gerry McMonagle requested that Cllr McBride take time out to amend the wording of the motion.

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The amended motion was passed. It asks, “that the organiser of any planned protests in Letterkenny would engage with An Garda Siochana, Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Chamber and the emergency services to minimise the impact of such events on the business community in Letterkenny.”