Council to limit public access to meeting

Cork’s City Hall will be in lockdown this Monday, with strict access arrangements and tight security for a public meeting of the city council.

It follows chaotic scenes almost two weeks ago when the council’s last public meeting was disrupted by water charges protesters.

Officials said the numbers allowed in to the chamber’s public gallery for Monday’s meeting will be limited to a maximum of 44, after which entry will be refused.

They also advised anyone wishing to attend to enter through the civic offices on Anglesea St before 5.20pm, and not, as is usual, through the main door of the historic City Hall building.

Tight new access arrangements will be in place for Monday's #Cork city council meeting - promoted by water protests two weeks ago #corkcc

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) March 6, 2015

The arrangements are being put in place to prevent a repeat of the scenes last Monday week, when about 70 water charges campaigners stormed the council chamber and forced the meeting to be abandoned.

They wanted to hear a motion discussed on the council floor in relation to the jailing of water charges activists in Dublin.

However, three public gallery areas were closed for what City Hall said were “health and safety reasons”.

Several protesters entered the council chamber before the motion could be debated, and demanded the closed public gallery areas be opened.