Clare retailers protest over rates increase at council meeting

One hundred retailers were threatened with being forcibly removed from a meeting of Clare County Council as anger over large rates increases in parts of the county boiled over.

A large number of business owners from Ennis and Kilrush packed the public gallery at the meeting as part of a “Day of Action on Rates” organised by the Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

The mayor of Clare, James Breen, resisted a number of attempts by councillors Johnny Flynn and Ann Norton to have the rates issue discussed, resulting in a heckling match between gathered business people and the mayor.