COUNCILLOR GETS APOLOGY OVER INIS MOR DEMONSTRATION

Date Published: 01-Dec-2011

A county councillor has received a letter of apology over the actions of a protestor who demonstrated over bye laws on Inis Mór.

Over 200 residents staged a protest outside Galway county council buildings ahead of last months meeting.

The bye-laws were to include charges to help generate funding for the maintenance and operation of the 40 million euro Cill Rónáin harbour.

At that meeting it was agreed to charge an annual flat rate of 5 euro for multiple passenger journeys, which Islanders call a 'tax on Inis Mor'.

Councillor Eileen Mannion, who voted in favour of the charge, was approached by one protestor who was allegedly verbally agressive about the decision.

At this week's meeting, councillors were in general agreement that the majority of protestors had conducted themselves in a dignified manner.Councillor Eileen Mannion says she has accepted a letter of apology in relation to the incident.