Rift in Carna as meeting called on hotel’s future
Three organisations tasked with community development in Cárna have been invited to a public meeting this Friday to discuss the future of the Gaeltacht village.
One of the main items on the agenda is what plans the authorities have for Carna Bay Hotel now that the Government has confirmed it no longer intends to use it as an IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Service) centre for migrants.
The backlash against the IPAS centre united many people in the community to rally to the cause, but the fallout has also revealed a split.
A new group, Coiste Mhuintir na hÁite, Cárna, was recently formed — despite legal threats from existing organisations, Coiste Phobal Chárna and Forbairt Chonamara Láir Teo (FCL), which are funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The new committee was backboned by prominent campaigners against the hotel being used as an IPAS centre, which were involved in the Grúpa Gníomh Óstán Chuan Chárna.
The new group has invited FCL, its Coiste Pobal and Údarás to the meeting this Friday at 8pm in Áras na hOllscoile, Róisín na Mainiach.
Manus Ó Conaire, a former Independent local election candidate and member of the new committee, said the community wanted answers about whether FCL still plans to buy Carna Bay Hotel to operate it as a community facility, as was pledged during the recent controversy.
Mr Ó Conaire said Údarás had accused the new group of causing a split in the community, but he insisted the people of the area were not aware of the personnel now running these organisations.
“If we don’t know who they are, how can they claim to represent the community?” he asked.
Mr Ó Conaire said the people of Cárna wanted a public meeting, and FCL, Údarás and Coiste Pobal had been invited to attend.
In April, Swain Solicitors, on behalf of FCL Teoranta, wrote to members of the new committee, who were organising a meeting to establish a new Coiste Pobal.
“We wish to make it clear that the corporate governance structure for FCL already includes an established and properly registered Coiste Pobal. You have no legal authority or standing to establish a new Coiste or to replace the existing one,” the legal letter said.
It added that FCL would take High Court proceedings seeking injunctive relief.
It’s understood the meeting proceeded with around 50 people in attendance, 14 of whom were elected to positions on the new Coiste Mhuintir na hÁite Cárna.
This Friday’s public meeting is open to all.
Pictured: Carna Bay Hotel: top of the agenda.