Council asks Occupy campers to leave

CITY officials have asked Occupy Cork protesters to leave the city park where they have been camped for almost a month.

A spokesman for Cork City Council confirmed last night that officials are monitoring the situation on a daily basis, and that if the tents are not removed soon, other options, including court action, will be considered.

Fines of up to €1,900 can be imposed on individuals convicted of breaches of the council’s parks, cemeteries and open space bylaws, which prohibit the erection of tents on public open spaces.

Inspired by the global Occupy movement, which began with the Occupy Wall Street group in the US, Irish protesters have set up similar camps in Cork, Dublin and Galway in protest at the Government’s bank bailout strategy and its management of the country.

The Cork group set up camp on the green areas at the junction of South Mall and Grand Parade almost four weeks ago.

By yesterday, the camp consisted of 15 tents, with about 30 individuals.

Camp spokesman Liam Mullaney, 35, from Co Sligo, said the movement represented “democracy in action”.

“We have made a point — that people can take over a public space and voice their concerns.

“We have achieved that so far, and I think we are beginning to beat the apathy.”

However, the City Hall spokesman said the protesters were camped there illegally.

“We have had several complaints from the public about the camp interfering with their enjoyment of the park,” he said.

“We want the park returned for general public usage. We have requested that they vacate the park and we have asked for their co-operation in this regard.”

The park’s green areas have also been damaged and remedial work will be needed.

The park, which includes memorials to those killed in both world wars, and Hiroshima, is due to host an Armistice Day event on Sunday.