Newly-independent mayor should now act in defence of the city’s poor

THE newly-elected mayor of Limerick, Diarmuid Scully, who has been expelled from the conservative Fine Gael party, is now in a position to raise issues of concern to the less well off, such as the jailing of people who cannot pay refuse charges.

One of the greatest hidden scandals in the city is the jailing of women for their inability to pay refuse charges.

In recent weeks one mother of two young children served seven days in jail because she could not pay fines imposed for not having a wheelie bin. The mayor is now free from the constraint of a party machine so he should take a lead role in campaigning against these increased refuse charges.