Bid to use emergency legislation to stop mayor's plans to build houses in Limerick park

COUNCILLORS will on Monday bid to invoke rarely used emergency legislation to prevent the construction of modular housing in a neighbourhood park.

Mayor John Moran has identified tracts of public land to place temporary housing on.

One of these is Boro Park in Janesboro, but locals have vocally objected to the proposals, with more than 100 attending a public meeting in last month.

They are concerned about a loss of green space in their area, and overdevelopment of housing.

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Mayor Moran for his part says there is a need for quick housing to tackle the crisis - and the site is zoned to allow housing.

At a special meeting at 5pm in Monday, City East councillors Sarah Kiely and priomh-chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery will bring forward a resolution under section 139 of the Local Government Act 2001.

It’s a tool that allows councillors to formally instruct the council executive and mayor to stop a specific project.

All eyes will be on the vote, with a simple majority of 40 councillors needed.

The majority of councillors in City East - where Boro Park is located - have expressed opposition to development the land.

But it remains to be seen what stance council members from elsewhere in the city and county will take.

Cllr Kiely said: “We felt this is our only recourse, the only way we would be listened to. This is true democracy in action.”

She said she has tried other approaches, but: “Mayor John Moran has left us with no other option”.

Mayor Moran did not return a request for comment.

Council did not comment.