Limerick cannot ‘take the foot off the policing pedal’ says new mayor Kieran O'Hanlon
Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon of Fianna Fáil, who was elected through a pact with Fine Gael, said the one thing the city cannot allow happen is to “take the foot off the policing pedal”.
“Our gardaí in Limerick have done remarkable work in smashing the grip that gangland activity had here and we need to ensure they continue to win this fight.
“It is imperative that Limerick gets the resources necessary so that people in the regeneration areas can continue to enjoy this rebirth of their localities and live in peace and harmony.”
Mr O’Hanlon said more effort is needed to get a motorway corridor linking Cork, Limerick, and Galway.
With a motorway between Limerick and Galway expected to be completed in the next 12 months, he said finance for a similar motorway link between Limerick and Cork needs to be placed back on the capital spending programme.
“The Limerick of the future is all about growth; about leaving further in the rearview mirror the stereotype of the past decade,” he said.
The 40-member Limerick City and County Council was elected in 2014 to replace Limerick County Council, which had 28 members, and Limerick City Council, which had 17 members.
The unified council is made up of one metropolitan city area, chaired by the mayor of Limerick Metropolitan area, and three municipal areas covering the county area.
An agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on the mayor of Limerick City and County gives Fianna Fáil the position for three years and Fine Gael two years.
Mr O’Hanlon, 64, was previously elected mayor of Limerick in 1996/97 when he was a PD councillor.
