Dispute over a small sum of money contributed to Midleton market closure

Fine Gael councillor, Susan McCarthy, sought clarification from the governing body on the closure of Midleton Country Market. Picture: David Keane

The Department of Agriculture is to investigate why a country market was closed down due to unsubstantiated claims of rules violation, including the alleged misappropriation of a small amount of money fifteen years ago.

Midleton’s country market, which traded in the town’s Market Green area, was established in the mid-1970’s.

The market’s dozen or so traders dealt largely in small crafts and home-made sweets.

Last June stallholders were informed suddenly by the sector’s governing body, Country Markets Ltd., that the market’s licence was being cancelled “with immediate effect”.

Green Party Cllr Liam Quaide told September’s municipal district meeting that the closure was based on perceived non-sustainability and alleged unauthorised pro rata distribution of 'small money' amongst under a dozen recipients.

“The most anyone got was about €30” he believes.

He said both reasons were invalid, as the market’s bank account “demonstrated a surplus” and the redistribution “was in fact legitimate according to the country market rulebook”.

Labelling the cancellation “highly unusual” and “excessively punitive”, Cllr Quaide said it was especially so at a time when the government is emphasising local council and departmental support for small enterprises.

The councillor said the market had a strong social as well as enterprise aspect and its closure had caused considerable stress, in particular on older participants.

Fine Gael Cllr Susan McCarthy complained that, when she sought clarification from the governing body, she was told she was “reaching beyond my scope” as a local representative, because it is a commercial matter.

The councillor contended that as the Country Markets Ltd operates within the voluntary sector and receives Department of Agriculture funding, “it is very much within our remit”.

Cllr McCarthy accused the governing body of failing to accommodate “due process” for the traders and says the matter of funds redistribution had surpassed any statutory time limit anyway.

Independent Cllr Noel Collins quoted a letter he had received from Country Markets Ltd re-affirming that the “division of surplus”, by preceding the market accounts being fully audited, justified the licence withdrawal.

The letter noted that a market failing “to operate within the code of practice or in accordance with general directions” from the committee of management was “liable to closure”.

The meeting agreed unanimously to refer the matter to the Department of Agriculture.