Latest news with #LimerickCityandCountyCouncil
The Journal
12-07-2025
- The Journal
Highest number of XL Bully type dogs surrendered in Limerick
THE HIGHEST NUMBER of XL Bully type dogs surrendered to any local council has taken place in Limerick, new figures show. Figures provided by the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon show that to date, 60 XL Bully dogs have been surrendered to local authorities across the country with the 13 dogs surrendered to Limerick City and County Council the highest number for any local area. In October last year, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog. Since February, it's been illegal to own one without a certificate of exemption. The 13 dogs surrendered to Limerick City and County Council accounts for 21% of the nationwide total. Limerick having the highest total nationally and this followed new laws introduced on the owning and breeding of XL Bully dogs that were enacted following a number of serious attacks. In June last year, 23-year-old Nicole Morey was attacked and killed by two XL Bully dogs at her home in Ballyneety, County Limerick . The tragedy led to a review ordered by the then Minister Heather Humphries, and new laws were introduced in relation to the breeding and ownership of the breed. Advertisement A total 1,800 applications have been made for exemption certificates. In his written Dáil reply, Minister Haydon told Pádraig O'Sullivan that 'the ban on XL Bully type dogs was announced in 2024 in the interest of public safety following a series of serious attacks'. In the figures provided by Minister Haydon, the second highest number of XL Bullies occurred in the Dublin City Council area at 11. A further two XL Bullies were surrounded in South Dublin Co Council and in Fingal Co Council. Waterford city and council area had the third highest number nationally at seven. In Kildare and Cork city, four XL Bullies were surrendered while Cavan and Donegal each had three. The other local authority area where two XL Bullies were surrounded was Tipperary. Local authorities where single XL Bullies were surrendered are listed as Clare, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Longford, Louth, Meath, Mayo, Sligo and Westmeath. Zero XL Bully type dogs have been surrendered for Carlow, Cork County, Galway County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Wexford and Wicklow. Haydon said that figures for the number of dogs surrendered to animal welfare charities have not been collated.
Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
JP McManus says 'it remains unclear' why council refused his gift of Limerick rugby experience
JP McManus has said it 'remains unclear' why Limerick City and County Council refused to accept the gift of the International Rugby Experience 'on behalf of the people of Limerick'. The comments were made in a speech at a private meeting between Mr McManus and Limerick councillors to discuss the events leading up to the closure of the IRE, and share his 'side of things'. After saying his 'love for Limerick' has always driven him to see what could be done to 'help the city and county thrive', Mr McManus shared details of the interactions between the IRE and the local council. In a pre-written speech seen by the Irish Examiner, Mr McManus said there was 'disappointment' after a report made by consultants hired by Limerick City and County Council led to 'misrepresentation'. Mr McManus said: 'It was a matter of very fundamental concern and disappointment when we discovered that the report by the consultants, which was agreed to be presented to the councillors, had been changed without consultation and presented as a joint report, even though we had not been informed of the changes. 'In our view, this contributed heavily to the misrepresentation of the proposal to the councillors and The Heads of Terms Agreement was not honoured by Limerick City and County Council." He said the 'imbalanced orientation' of the presentation made it 'nigh-on impossible' for the councillors to accept his donation. Mr McManus went on to say the outcome 'to date' in relation to the situation had been 'mystifying and indeed disheartening'. 'It remains unclear to us why Limerick City and County Council would not accept this gift offer on behalf of the people of Limerick,' he added. He said a number of questions remained unanswered, including why he was 'advised by the council' that support funding was being sought from the Government to enable the offer to be accepted — comments that were denied by Micheál Martin on 95FM in October 2024, who said 'no such request had been received'. This comes as Limerick councillors said they were 'surprised' to hear the chronology of events leading up to the closure of the IRE. It is understood Mr McManus initially read from a prepared speech and told councillors he had no intention to proceed with 'any further discussions' with the council regarding his gift. He later on indicated he would reconsider, after being asked to by some councillors. According to one councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, 'nothing was confirmed either way". 'We could be told a definitive no in the weeks to come,' they said. The attraction, which welcomed 60,000 visitors in the 12 months it was open, closed its doors in December 2024, leading to the loss of 50 jobs. Mr McManus had offered the €30m building and additional funding of €1.2m to Limerick City and County Council — a gesture which had been refused by the council following worries about the costs of operating the attraction. JP McManus indicated it was always intended that the building could be used for 'any civic purpose' — but they 'simply requested' the IRE would continue to be used as much up to the end of 2027. Councillors were contacted for comment but did not reply.
Irish Examiner
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Limerick's new initiative aims to increase footfall at night
There was a 'great buzz' in Limerick as the second edition of a new initiative kicked off, in a bid to boost the city's night-time economy. Twilight Thursdays runs on the last Thursday of every month, offering a mix of family-friendly fun, live music, food and drink experiences, as well as cultural showcases. Presented by Limerick City and County Council, the initiative is designed to energise the city's night-time economy and cultural life, and invite locals and visitors alike to explore the city after dark in 'a safe, welcoming' atmosphere. Limerick City is one of nine locations selected to participate in the national Night Time Economy pilot programme, which is supported and funded by the Department of Culture. Night-time economy adviser at Limerick City and County Council, Craig Power, told the Irish Examiner: 'Twilight Thursday is basically about bringing people into the city with the end goal of getting retail hours extended, getting business to open up later. 'But to ask businesses to do that, we need to be able to increase footfall in the city centre, so that's what we're doing. In the meantime, we're supporting culture, the food and beverage industry, hotels, restaurants, bars. We've got great partners in the likes of Uber and Free now that allow us to offer 40% off taxis for the nights in question.' So far, the events have been well received by the people in Limerick - despite the weather. The Limerick Wild Geese Festival Crew, Tobi Omoteso, Raquel Castillo, Ciara O'Callaghan(Ceese), MuRli Evans Boevi and Isac Maurice Kossivi at The Commercial Bar. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson For the owner of The Commercial, Rocky O'Shea, the initiative resembles a mini culture night - one which takes place every month. 'It's like a small little culture night and I always say culture night is the start of the season. It's where everyone comes back from holidays, the kids go back to school and there's a load of free events and it gives people a reason to come out. People go out and go, 'Jeez, this is a great city' and it kicks off a little bit of the nighttime buzz around,' Mr O'Shea said. 'You can see that this is slowly doing the same. I went around the last one and I was in a couple of places I wouldn't normally be, and there was a great buzz,' he added. The next Twilight Thursday will be taking place in Limerick on July 31.
Irish Independent
28-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Limerick city's €9m street works scrutinised after €40k spent scrubbing stains in 2025
Today at 04:00 Limerick City and County Council has confirmed that five deep cleans have been carried out on O'Connell Street this year, at a cost of approximately €8,000 each, bringing the total spend to over €40,000. The information came in response to a question submitted by Labour Councillor Joe Leddin, who asked what plans were in place to replant flower beds and clean street furniture on O'Connell Street, similar to the flower displays on the city's bridges. In a written response, Liam Browne, Senior Executive Engineer with the Roads, Traffic and Cleansing section, said: 'The Cleansing Section cleans paving on O'Connell Street on a daily basis. Occasionally deep cleans are carried out by contractor depending on the need to do so and the availability of funding.' He noted that a surge in major city events had prompted the cleanings. 'Due to the large number of major events in the City recently, namely Riverfest, The Great Limerick Run and three Munster Hurling Championship matches, five deep cleans have been carried out on the pavement and street furniture on O'Connell Street,' stated Mr Browne. Each deep clean costs approximately €8,000, amounting to a total of €40,000 spent to date in 2025. Cllr Leddin spoke of concerns regarding the long-term cost and effectiveness of such cleaning with the Irish Independent, in particular, underlying issues with the materials used: 'Having spent €9 million on resurfacing and public realm works, the quality of the paving in my view is not durable for streets, as oil and grease stains are impossible to remove, hence the question, how much are we spending. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook 'These issues in terms of product use and durability are decided by engineers, with councillors left dealing with the practical day-to-day issues,' he added. On the topic of planting, Aidan Finn, Senior Executive with the Environment and Climate Action department, said flower baskets had been refreshed on Limerick's bridges before the June Bank Holiday, with other planting ongoing. 'A new City Gardener has been appointed recently and she will concentrate on the City Centre including Arthur's Quay Park, O'Connell Street and William Street,' Mr Finn said. 'The flower beds on O'Connell Street, Pery Square and the O'Connell Monument will be completed in the near future.' Related topics Jasmin Griffin
The Journal
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
JP McManus has 'highly emotional' meeting with Limerick Council over Rugby Expo 'gift' snub
BILLIONAIRE HORSE RACING mogul JP McManus fought back tears at a highly charged meeting with Limerick City and County Council after it snubbed his offer of the debt-free €30million International Rugby Experience (IRE) and a €1.2million donation. McManus sought the private meeting with council executives and elected representatives to ask why the local authority turned down his offer. Reliable sources said an apology was offered to McManus and his family at the closed meeting, but that the gift was no longer on the table 'as things stand' but that it could yet be salvaged, they said. McManus has disputed the manner in which the gift was presented to councillors and told executives of his 'hurt' over the controversy. In 2001, the council presented McManus with the prestigious title of Honorary Freeman of Limerick. In 2011 the council included McManus's name in a medallion added to the mayoral chain, after he won the 2010 Aintree Grand National with his horse Don't Push It. In 2016 councillors held a Civic Reception for him for his 'outstanding contribution' to local communities. However, sources said the once close relationship has now soured over the IRE controversy. 'JP made a presentation to the chamber today and he got emotional as he spoke of his love of Limerick and he spoke about the fact that he was made a Freeman of the City by the council, and that it had been the proudest moment of his life,' said a source. 'It was highly emotional, he stopped talking and got choked up. A few councillors at the meeting were also wiping away tears.' The €30m building was renovated and fitted out for the expo. McManus told the closed meeting he was 'mystified' and 'disheartened' at the Council's declining of his debt-free gift. 'He was offering the people of Limerick city and county this gift – the IRE and €1.2million funding – through the council, and he found it mystifying and disheartening and how it was turned down. 'He said he was very disappointed that the heads of terms of agreement were not honoured. He saw it as a gentleman's agreement. 'So the offer is no longer on the table as things stand, but I would hope there can be a positive outcome,' another source said. Advertisement Sources claimed that councillors expressed 'embarrassment' at the controversy however a number of councillors who attended the meeting declined to comment to waiting reporters who were not allowed inside. Limerick City and County Council also declined to comment, citing the meeting was held behind closed doors. Afterwards, McManus would not be drawn on the outcome of the meeting, he simply waved at journalists after he was asked 'did you get a deal?' The €30million sports attraction closed last December after just 12 months in operation, with the loss of 50 jobs. Earlier this week councillors apologised to McManus for the debacle. Outgoing District Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fáil Councillor Kieran O'Hanlon said prior to the meeting: 'I'm extremely disappointed and annoyed at the way the whole thing was handled. 'We have one of the biggest gifts coming to us from the greatest person Limerick ever had – JP McManus. Not only did we refuse it, but we insulted the McManus family in the process. 'I would like to apologise to JP McManus on behalf of the councillors for the way it was handled,' O'Hanlon also told the Limerick Post newspaper. Speaking on his way into today's meeting former Limerick mayor, Councillor Michael Collins, said councillors were 'not happy with the way things have happened with the IRE, and today is about JP setting the record straight'. 'It has been very disappointing for the McManus family because they have been very good to Limerick down through the years,' Collins said. Ahead of today's meeting, Limerick's first-ever directly elected mayor John Moran, who could not attend as he was abroad, said he had recently held meetings with McManus. He said he hoped there would be 'further open and constructive dialogue…to find a sustainable solution to secure the future' of the IRE building. The IRE said it delivered an estimated €7.8million boost to the local economy in its first year. Last year the Council said it was 'disappointed' with the IRE's decision to close its doors, and that it had made 'every effort' to secure the deal. The Council said it would have had to find 'substantial operational and capital funding' to continue running the Experience. Prior to today's meeting, a counter offer from Mayor Moran to utilise €300,000 of his Mayoral Fund to help keep the facility open for the next three years was rejected by the IRE. IRE chief executive Barry Hannon previously claimed that costings presented to councillors were 'over-inflated and were not included in the heads of agreement' which he said both parties had agreed in principal in August 2023. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
