Allen defends role played by local food markets

IRISH EXAMINER food writer Darina Allen told the High Court yesterday she felt very strongly about the importance of local food markets in this country and believed they played a role in rural development.

She was giving evidence on the second day of a case in which the proprietor of a business that sells specialist food at casual markets nationwide is seeking an order restraining Kilkenny Borough Council from interfering with or disturbing his right to sell goods in the city.

Toby Simmonds, aged 34, of Toonsbridge, Macroom, Co Cork, who sells olives and Mediterranean style foods both directly and wholesale has brought the case because he claims he has the right to trade in the town. Mr Simmonds is also seeking a number of declarations from the court that he is entitled to sell his wares at a market in Kilkenny; that the council are not allowed to interfere with the market; and that the provisions of the Casual Trading Act do no apply to the market in Kilkenny.