Long-serving Limerick councillor warned to stay away from certain parts of Rathkeale

THE longest-serving elected member of Limerick City and County council has revealed how he has been “advised” to stay away from parts of Rathkeale for his own safety.

Cllr Kevin Sheahan, a former Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, told a meeting of the Adare/Rathkeale Municipal District that he was approached a number of weeks ago and advised he would be attacked or his car damaged if he encountered certain individuals.

“I was met by a few people in Rathkeale, who would be settled Travellers, and they told me they wanted to meet me to advise me to stay out of Fairhill – that I was likely to be assaulted there by a particular family,” he said.

Cllr Sheahan, a former garda detective, said he is aware that members of the family are behaving in a “totally unacceptable” manner and that law and order “has gone out the window”.

The councillor, who was first elected nearly 40 years ago, called for an investigation into the presence of caravans outside council-owned properties which are occupied by members of the family, who were not named publicly during the meeting.

It’s understood Cllr Sheahan has not been threatened directly and no formal complaint has been made to gardai.

Limerick gardai confirm details of policing plan for Rathkeale this Christmas

His comments were made during a discussion on the expected surge in the Traveller population of Rathkeale over the Christmas and new year period.

Cllr Sheahan told the meeting he was disappointed that local politicians have not been approached by representatives of the Rathkeale Community to discuss the arrangements for the festive season.

“I’m 37 years here (as a councillor) and every single year we have met with a delegation from Rathkeale around this time of year – we have met representative groups to discuss how best the increase in the Rathkeale population would be adequately dealt with,” he said adding that he believes it is a mistake that such a meeting has not taken place this year.

The Traveller population in Rathkeale is set to increase by around 1,500 between now and the end of January as members of the Traveller community return from mainland Europe and the UK.

A dedicated policing plan will commence in Rathkeale next week and continue into the new year.