Silence from mayor as fury builds over Christmas festivities in Limerick

THERE is silence from Mayor John Moran amid fears council infighting could derail Christmas in Limerick.

The directly elected mayor has signed over responsibility of the festive programme in the city.

The delivery of the plans for Christmas - one of the busiest times in the city centre - was part of the remit of the directly elected mayor.

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But, now he has ordered the responsibility for the programme be given to Dr Pat Daly, the council’s director general.

Less than three months out from Christmas, there are fears the festive offering in Limerick could be “very poor” according to priomh-comhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery, who described it as “a farce”.

“Something is wrong here, something is not working out. This isn’t a blame game. It’s about the citizens of Limerick who deserve a good Christmas,” said Cllr Slattery, who leads the Fianna Fáil group in the metropolitan area, and sits beside Mayor Moran at monthly meetings.

Following a stormy meeting last week on the Christmas offering, Fine Gael’s five metropolitan councillors issued a strongly-worded statement.

They described Mayor Moran’s decision to delegate responsibility for Christmas as an “act of political cowardice” and an “abdication of duty” which has “jeopardised preparations” for December in Limerick.

A sub-committee has been meeting since the start of the year planning a Christmas programme to ensure that there is more on offer this year, compared to last.

Now, it remains unclear how much of the programme they have organised will see the light of day.

Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara said: “We know last year, a lot of people didn’t bother going to Limerick. They went to Waterford, Galway or wherever else.

“I know councillors in that committee have been working really hard on the ground all year. I know from talking to them, they have put in the hours, and it’s not fair their work is being overshadowed by the politics of this.”

Cllr Hickey-O’Mara said all parties now need to work together .

“We are not here for each other’s political egos. We are here for Limerick - that’s our job,” he said.

He has been joined in the call by Sinn Féin councillor Sharon Benson and Cllr Ursula Gavan, Independent.

Cllr Benson said Fine Gael is trying to undermine the mayor’s work.

“We need to get on with the job and ensure the Christmas programme is delivered as planned. We were elected, to work for our constituents, as the mayor was.”

Cllr Gavan agreed: “We need to get a programme of events up and running and advertised. There will be plenty of time after Christmas to review the planning or lack of it.”

For their part, Fine Gael have also said they remain committed to ensuring the Christmas programme is delivered in full.

Limerick Live put a series of questions in relation to the matter to the council and Mayor Moran.

A public statement was expected from the mayor on Thursday, but did not arrive. There was no response to Limerick Live's questions on Sunday night.