Protestors interrupt meeting of Limerick City and County Council

A MEETING of Limerick City and County Council has been disrupted by protestors who interrupted proceedings.

The bi-monthly meeting of the full council was taking place at the Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick this Monday afternoon with a full agenda.

During an item on the agenda, relating to the disposal of council-owned lands, three women who were seated in the public gallery made their way down the stairs of the theatre and started displaying signs and banners.

The women said that they were demanding "a voice be given to the people" and refused to leave.

Mayor of the city and county of Limerick, Cllr Francis Foley, then adjourned the meeting and asked elected members and officials to leave the chamber.

The women unfurled a banner saying "nature rights not nature crime" and held it up.

Busy Limerick post office unable to open due to circumstances beyond control

Before the meeting had started, they were told that under Standing Orders they were allowed to observe the meeting but were not permitted to interfere in the proceedings.

The meeting, which is being hosted by UL as part of the UL50 celebrations, resumed shortly before 5.15pm - almost an hour after it was adjourned.

A number of councillors - John Sheehan, Adam Teskey and Eddie Ryan remained in the theatre throughout while the other attendees left and waited in another room until the protestors left.

While security personnel were alerted to the protest, there was no garda involvement.