Fine Gael Dublin lord mayor bars Sinn Féin bid to save public swimming pools

SINN FÉIN Dublin North-East Councillor Larry O'Toole was ordered to leave the monthly meeting of Dublin City Council yesterday evening (Monday) after he protested over the refusal of Fine Gael Lord Mayor Gerry Breen to accept a motion designed to save three City Council swimming pools threatened with closure.

Councillor O'Toole said:

“The refusal to accept this motion was an attempt to silence community anger at the forthcoming closure of three swimming pools at Coolock, Seán MacDermott Street and Crumlin. Our motion proposed an alternative funding model which can save the swimming pools from closure later this year.

“Obviously the ruling Fine Gael/Labour alliance on the council wants to keep the spotlight off the fact that it was their flawed budget for the council that resulted in the decision to close the pools.

“A stay of execution is no use. We want these pools kept open and improved and promoted for community use and our campaign will continue in the council and on the streets.”

ENDS