COMMUNITY COUNCIL TAKES THE AVONDHU TO TASK
Mitchelstown Community Council this week takes The Avondhu to task in relation to recent coverage on a number of issues.
The following is a statement issued by Seamus Kilmartin on behalf of the community council: "Mitchelstown Community Council’s new administration and it’s members are now busy planning for the future and have not been prepared to comment any further regarding recent sensationalised headings.
"However, a response has to be made after Brian Moore’s article in a recent edition of The Avondhu in which he stated that the MCC through the chairman denied a meeting with Muintir na Tire. What Mr Moore failed to report was that he was told that a meeting took place with an experienced local community councillor who gave the members present some very useful advice and some very helpful information.
"The invited guest, Mr Sean Hegarty, has connections with Muintir na Tire but he was not invited under that organisation. Mr. Moore was also told by the chairman that the MCC would not rule out a meeting with Muintir na Tire in the future if it is so required.
"It is now time for The Avondhu to find a new way of selling papers and leave the community council to get on with the work that they have been elected to do and that they have done for the past 23 years.
"The questions have been answered, we have taken on board what the general public have recommended and have put all matters of concern in order.
"We will continue to be at the forefront of any project that will be for the betterment of Mitchelstown and its people as we have done in the past i.e. laying the foundations for the leisure centre, successful good food festivals from 2003 – 2007; instrumental in the drawing up of the socio-economic plan and the setting up of the Mitchelstown Forum plus a financial contributor; extensive planting programme over the years and with its terrific hard working sub-committee the building of one of the largest and best community children’s playgrounds in the county if not the country.
"We have served the people of Mitchelstown well and will continue to do so in the future".
EDITOR’S RESPONSE
While Mitchelstown Community Council raises a number of pertinent issues in its statement, it is the contention of The Avondhu that it has always treated stories on the community council in a balanced and impartial manner.
Our reporter, Brian Moore, posed the question – Has Mitchelstown Community Council met with a member of Muintir na Tire and the chairman, as stated in our article of June 25, denied this.
It is interesting to note that, in its statement above, Mitchelstown Community Council confirmed that Sean Hegarty, a former president of Muintir, attended a meeting of the community council as an invited guest.
The Avondhu has every intention of allowing Mitchelstown Community Council get on with its good work and we will, as always, be to the forefront of promoting any such initiatives in this newspaper. We will, however, also continue in our efforts to report relevant issues of public interest in a fair and balanced fashion.
Published:
Thursday 9th July 7:00pm
