Tag Archives: Border

Corrigan Says Not A Good Budget For Louth

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Cllr Edel CorriganCllr Edel Corrigan has said she will not be voting in favour of the county budget this year as she feels the people of Louth can’t take another austerity budget.

Corrigan said “Time and time again Louth County Council have been told to provide more for less, by this Fine Gael / Labour government. We didn’t seek election to sit idle and let the people of our communities suffer again. We in Sinn Féin cannot and will not support a budget that will have a very real and negative impact on the day to day lives of people in this county.”

“The adoption of this budget will see no improvement to housing services, road services, or further investment in projects and services that support and build communities, while people and their families are forced to pay more. The people who will suffer at the adoption of this budget are the same people who were passed over by the Celtic Tiger.”

“Louth is the most deprived border region in all of Ireland, and, this is not going to change unless we make a stand as elected representatives. We must stand up for the people and communities who elected us, and the onus is on us to look out for their best interests. I urge you all to say ‘enough is enough’, now is the time to make a stand by voting no to this budget, send out a message to say Louth has had enough, and we deserve more.”

“Dundalk is the most deprived area in the border region and Louth Local authorities need to make provision so we are not solely relying on others to provide for cross border development. For that reason, the one thing that I do welcome in the budget report are the plans for the cross border and European Relations Unit in the local authority. Now is the time to set out aims, objectives and targets in this local authority as to how we can develop and improve this cross border region to see real economic and social changes to better the quality of life for those in the area who have been affected by partition on this island.”

Sinn Féin Meet Dundalk Garda Representatives

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Jim LoughranCllr Edel Corrigan

Louth TD Gerry Adams along with Cllrs Jim Loughran and Edel Corrigan met with Superintendent Gerry Curley at Dundalk Garda Station last Friday afternoon.

Many issues were discussed including the investigation into the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, the increase in the numbers of burglaries, drug related crimes, cross border policing and community safety.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Jim Loughran said: “I am disappointed at the lack of progress in respect of the roll out of Community Text Alert Schemes, however I now hope that a better structure can be put in place to help co-ordination between An Garda Síochána and Community Safety Groups. I have asked that Quarterly meetings be held between rural community alert groups and Garda representatives similar to those that are already in place for Urban Areas.

“We discussed the increase of drug related crimes. Many addicts become involved in crime, particularly theft, in order to feed their addiction. We need more to be done to crack down on the issue of drug dealing in order to prevent further related drug crimes.”

Cllr Edel Corrigan said: “There appears to an alarming increase in burglaries throughout Dundalk and the surrounding areas. Teachta Adams has submitted a series of PQs (Parliamentary Questions) to the Minister for Justice seeking information on this and on available Garda resources in the region.

“A number of the burglaries are believed to be carried out by criminal groups that use the border corridor to their advantage. Many gangs now travel along the main motorway between Dublin and Belfast and target areas like Dundalk as they can quickly escape back onto a main road and be miles away within minutes.

“I would appeal to citizens to be vigilant and ensure their homes and vehicles are secure at all times. I would especially appeal to everyone to look out for those most vulnerable in our communities, particularly our elderly.”

Gerry Adams TD said;
“I would once again appeal to anyone with information, however small or apparently insignificant, in respect of the murder of Adrian Donohoe, to bring that forward to the Garda or the PSNI.

“No effort should be spared to bring those responsible before the courts. Anyone with information can contact the Incident Room in Dundalk Garda Station 042-9388400, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111, any Garda Station or the PSNI on 04890-650222 or 0845-6008000 (from the North of Ireland)