A waiting game for bylaws in Courtown

IN a discussion about Courtown by-laws at the January meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Cllr Diarmuid Devereux expressed his concern as to whether the new county wide by-laws in relation to the public consumption of intoxicating substances would be prepared in time for the tourist season.

District Manager Michael Drea told the members that he had circulated the by laws that are in existence already to the new inspector and local sergeants in Gorey and Courtown to find what’s needed and where.

The bylaws that exist only relate to a ‘functional area of Gorey town’.

Michael Drea said that Gardai would like to explore the possibility of the Burrow area in Courtown being closed off on a short term basis, but that this was just one of the options they want to explore.

Mr Drea expects a draft within the next week or two but that Wexford County

Council do not at present have a time frame for the bylaws being enacted.

‘There is a new sub committee established between, Community, County Hall and the district to get those adopted and move things forward as quickly as possible,’ he said.

He also said that he is open for nominations to be invited for a working committee from elected members if there is interest.

Cllr Devereux disagreed with the option of disallowing access to the Burrow road, and suggested the local representatives from community groups be communicated with on this.

‘We are a month and a half away from the launch of the tourist season St Patrick’s day, I want to know whether we are going to be able to stop 20 or 30 illegal campers landing in Courtown,’ he said.

Michael Drea said that this would be possible, and Cllr Sullivan highlighted that there are beach bylaws already in existence, as well as camping on unauthorised sites.

‘In fairness it’s going slow but we have to give Michael the opportunity to get the show back on the road.

‘Our hands are not exactly completely behind our back on this issue. More bylaws will strengthen our hands, but those that are there, if they were applied fairly strictly that they could keep the situation under control.

‘Equally, we need as much resources as we can get to contain the situation down there every summer, for those who are coming in legitimately for their summer holidays so that they can enjoy Courtown and not be subject to people camping where they shouldn’t be,’ said Cllr Sullivan.

Director of Services Eddie Taaffe said that the Council have consulted the powers that be, such as the Gardaí, and that their views had to be respected.

‘We are not going to second guess the Gardai, and what they say should be looked at and considered, because they are the experts as they are dealing with this regularly’.