Mayor bids for meeting with Limerick traders over controversial plans

Members of Limerick City Traders Association, Mark Tiernan, Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre, Caroline Long, Limerick and District Credit Union, Michael Craughan, O'Connell's Butchers, Shane Gleeson, Gleeson's Spar, Linda Frawley, Cornstore and Coqbull, Michael Tiernan, Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre and Steve Gleeson, Gleeson Sport Scene | PICTURE: Adrian Butler | .

placeholder image — Members of Limerick City Traders Association, Mark Tiernan, Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre, Caroline Long, Limerick and District Credit Union, Michael Craughan, O'Connell's Butchers, Shane Gleeson, Gleeson's Spar, Linda Frawley, Cornstore and Coqbull, Michael Tiernan, Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre and Steve Gleeson, Gleeson Sport Scene | PICTURE: Adrian Butler | .

Retailers yet to respond to offer as August activations programme commences

MAYOR John Moran is expected to offer a meeting to traders over controversial plans to close a number of city centre streets to vehicular traffic.

Since the weekend, Honan's Quay, The Crescent, Lower Glentworth Street and Back Lane became pedestrian-only, and will remain that way until the end of August.

It comes despite furious traders lining up on Catherine Street last week urging Mayor Moran to change course on his plans. Close to 200 local traders have also signed a petition asking for this.

Metropolitan district leader, Cllr Joe Pond met with Mayor Moran on Bank Holiday Monday, and relayed his expectation that the first citizen will seek to address the traders at a public forum.

"I'm trying to find common ground among them all. I'd like us to exhaust all avenues around this. I think it's important these traders feel heard, and have the opportunity to address the mayor personally, so he can see exactly how they feel,” said Cllr Pond.

Sources have indicated no formal invitation has yet reached the retailers. Once this happens, they will decide whether or not to take it up.

Elsewhere, a bid to invoke emergency legislation to cancel the street closures appears to be off the table.

Fianna Fail councillors Pond, Catherine Slattery and Kieran O’Hanlon put forward a resolution under section 140 of the Local Government Act which, if it got support, would have seen the abandonment of the street closures.

However, the local authority has advised them that the measure – already used this year to block development in Boro Park – cannot be used in this instance.

It’s understood councillors are seeking independent legal advice.