Latest news with #JohnSnell
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Councillors shocked at footage of naked man outside asylum centre
Video footage of the incident shot by bystanders from the footpath and from passing vehicles has been widely spread on social media since it happened on Saturday, June 14. District councillors in Wicklow have called for greater lines of communication with the local engagement team after a man was recently found running naked outside an asylum centre in the town. Video footage of the incident shot by bystanders from the footpath and from passing vehicles has been widely spread on social media since it happened on Saturday, June 14. The footage captures a completely nude male running along the middle of the road outside the IPAS centre at the Grand Hotel. He appears to be in a disorientated and agitated state. The Grand Hotel in Wicklow town. Photo: Michael Kelly News in 90 Seconds - June 27th Speaking during the June meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, independent councillor John Snell called on his district colleagues to work collectively to help alleviate concerns when these incidents happen. He stressed the need for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information about what happened to the individual in question and asked newly elected cathaoirleach Graham Richmond to write to the relevant Minister seeking clarity on the matter. He also raised concern about how the footage appeared online before elected representatives were informed about what happened and suggested a better strategy is needed to monitor certain comments and activities online. In agreement councillor Paul O'Brien issued a word of caution about how the issue is dealt with and cited the difficulty in trying to manage social media accounts and open forums. Councillor Gail Dunne added it was important that residents in the town feel safe and that such incidents don't become a common reoccurrence. The male in question has since been arrested for public order offences and was brought to Wicklow Garda Station, where he was held in custody. He was charged with several offences, which are due before the courts. He is currently receiving care at Newcastle Hospital after being sectioned under the mental health act. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
TikTok video sparks concerns over security at old Wicklow courthouse
Footage has appeared online of prominent Northern Irish TikTok user Jamie Robinson gaining access and documenting the state of the building on Market Square for his thousands of followers. The old courthouse has been lying vacant since 2010 when the district court transferred their operations to Bray due to health and safety concerns at the courthouse. Circuit court sittings had already relocated from Wicklow town to Bray in 2008. During the June meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, Independent Cllr John Snell raised concern about how security measures were breached that allowed Mr Robinson gain access to the building. Cllr Snell believes it was a concerning development and called for better monitoring controls of the building. Cllr Graham Richmond indicated he is working with Tanainste Simon Harris to try and determine the future use of the site. In response district administrator Georgina Franey said local officials don't maintain the court and that it remains in the hands of the OPW although archivist Catherine Wright has asked for permission to access the building. Following a parliamentary question submitted by Wicklow TD John Brady in May, Justice Minister Jim O' Callaghan said a structural and internal review of the site is currently being compiled by the Courts Service.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
First new local area plan for Blessington in a decade is voted in
The plan for the west Wicklow town and surrounding area is the first to be adopted in over a decade, with the previous plan in place for six years between 2013 and 2019. During a meeting of Wicklow County Council on Monday, members considered 37 amendments to the proposed plan that will provide a framework to support the future development of the area up until 2031. During the council session, councillors also reviewed a myriad of reports that have been carried out ahead of the plan's implementation, looking specifically on how it will affect local communities in the wider west Wicklow region. Speaking during the meeting, independent councillor John Snell stressed the need for better transport links and called for a committee to be set up to review the issue. 'We were given reassurances on our own local area plan for Wicklow-Rathnew that a committee would be set up straight away and that plan has passed and there's still no sign of a committee being put committees need to be up and running now and not wait until the lifetime of this council is gone.' In response director of services Brian Gleeson said a group has met on a couple of occasions to look at that proposal of setting up these committees. 'We have gotten support from the National Transport Authority to proceed with that. So, a brief is being drafted up to go to tender under an NTA framework. That is currently being progressed.' Meanwhile on the issue of land zoning, independent councillor Gerry O' Neill raised concern about the area earmarked for the building of a new graveyard and called for planners to look at other sites. 'We have the main graveyard at Burgage and a proposal was made to extend it to the far side of the road, and the suggestion to remove that, this is where I am objecting to. 'We're down to about 30, 35 spaces in the existing graveyard. So I understand what the planners are saying here and I accept their view, but I believe an alternative site needs to be found.' ADVERTISEMENT Having considered the 37 amendments, councillors adopted the plan with minor adjustments. Following the vote Fianna Fáil councillor Patsy Glennon thanked the planning team and his colleagues in the chamber for supporting the plan. 'It will give a new lease of life to Blessington over the coming years and hopefully we will get much needed sports facilities, graveyards, all the things that are essential for a community to be vibrant and looking forward to the future with an increased population.' The elected members also voted to amend certain planning policies in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 that will make it possible for the new plan in Blessington to be implemented. At the conclusion of the meeting director of services Michael Nicholson thanked the planning staff for their 'trojan work.' 'This is the second plan they have gone through having done Wicklow earlier in the year. To do one is a huge task, to do two in quick succession is no joke. 'I thank all 32 councillors for their cooperation, and particularly the members from Baltinglass. I think you all worked very, very well and I think it is a great result.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Male Voice Choir to receive funding for twinning trip to Germany
Twinning arrangements between towns and areas in different countries help to develop a better understanding of other nationalities and cultures, and Wicklow town is twinned with Eichenzell, as well as Montigny-Le-Bretonneux in France and Montigny-Le-Bretonneux in France. At April's monthly meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, the elected members were informed that up to 37 members of Wicklow Male Voice Choir will join the Wicklow Twinning Committee as they head over to Eichenzell from June 20 to June 22, at a total cost of €14,500 for flights. While the choir will subsidise some of the costs, they still have their accommodation to pay for. The flight costs are exasperated by the large costs involved in flying all of their instruments over, while they are also required to bring two professionals along with them. The choir hasn't made the trip over to Eichenzell since 2011 and in June are due to perform at an Irish night taking place at the cultural centre, which will be attended by the local mayor. They have also been invited to an official reception where they will be representing Wicklow. Cllr Paul O'Brien said: 'I wish them well. Everyone knows how positively I feel about twinning. It opens up so many doors to different local community groups. It's a coming together pf peoples from different countries. I have to say Eichenzell give a lot back to us in Wicklow as well. I know there is a delegation from Eichenzell who are meant to be coming over to Wicklow for the regatta and Taste of Wicklow, so if we had any funds in the twinning budget to assist the male voice choir, then that would be great.' Cllr John Snell commented: 'The choir mainly consists of senior citizens who have contributed a life-time to doing their best and what is right. They come from all walks of life. It's not just Wicklow town they will be representing, but County Wicklow and Ireland as well.' It was agreed to provide the choir with €2,000 from the twinning budget to assist with the costs of the trip.
