City council orders GAA club to remove a rare sign of its success

I AM disgusted at the discriminatory manner in which Limerick City Council is treating the GAA in Limerick city.

My club, Na Piarsaigh, Luimneach, recently advanced to the county minor hurling final.

As part of the build-up to that final, we decorated our premises and put a large sign at the entrance to Caherdavin Lawn to highlight to the public our proud achievement and make people in the locality aware of what was happening.

We have won only two minor hurling finals and bringing a hurling county title to the city is unfortunately far too rare these days.

Also, this is a practice that happens all over the country without intervention. Within days, a member of the city council’s environment department asked us to remove the sign. I wrote to the department seeking clarification on what grounds we were asked to remove it, enclosing my phone number and asking what permissions, if any, were needed. I got no response.

When the Munster rugby side is playing in Limerick, the city is decorated by businesses wishing them well. Bridges and roundabouts are all decorated with signs from well-known businesses and it adds to the carnival atmosphere in the city.

Why is the GAA not allowed to do the same? Last week it was announced that Elton John will play in Thomond Park next year. As a fan, I am delighted with the opportunity to see him at this magnificent new venue and have already secured my tickets. On the other hand, it sickens me that the Gaelic Grounds, within 700 metres of this venue, was only granted planning to rebuild seven years ago on the grounds that no commercial activities could take place there.

Fair? No, naked prejudice. Planning was only recently granted to the Gaelic Grounds for floodlights to be erected after a number of applications. Yet, planning for floodlights and a stadium of several hundred feet was steamrolled through without a hitch at Thomond Park. It’s time the city council and national planning authorities had a serious look at the consistency and fairness of their deliberations. We need fair play for all sports in sporting Limerick.

Aidan Ryan

PRO

Na Piarsaigh GAA Club

Luimneach