'Whingers make me sick'; Former Lord Mayor hits out at City Hall critics

PEOPLE need to “stop whinging” about pedestrian access to Tramore Valley Park from Half Moon Lane, former Lord Mayor Terry Shannon has said.

Councillor Terry Shannon has hit out at the Green Party and lobby groups in the city, who are calling for the entrance to be opened temporarily, saying they have “gone mad” and that it makes him “sick”.

“These people on Twitter seem to think that they know best, and the rest of us are fools. The whinging that constantly goes on with these people,” he told The Echo.

He claims those calling for temporary access via Half Moon Lane are endangering people’s lives by saying it’s safe for motorists and pedestrians coming out onto South Douglas Road.

“My daughters went to Christ the King School, I know it well. I represented that area for 20 years. 

"That is a nightmare to exit onto South Douglas Road. There’s no line of sight whatsoever,” he said.

“The notion that we should open it up on a temporary basis - what are we going to do? Temporarily kill people? Madness, absolute nonsense, and these people should know better,” Mr Shannon added.

“I’ll support no proposals to, in the short term, open the Half Moon Lane until such time as proper infrastructure that will alleviate the health and safety and public safety issues are resolved," which Mr Shannon said could cost in the region of €200,000. 

Because the cost is prohibitive, especially given a shortfall in City Hall income this year, he can't see the entrance being opened this year at all.

“I’m not going to have it on my conscience that we endanger the lives of people, which will happen. 

"The same people who are roaring and shouting now - there’ll be none of them to be found if and when there’s a fatality.

“People need to cop on, suck it up, and just get used to it, and I couldn’t care less who I offend.” 

Mr Shannon, however, has approached the Council about reopening the tunnel under the city link road from the Black Ash Park & Ride site to Tramore Valley Park.

Meanwhile, he also hit out at people on Twitter who he claims are targeting the City Hall Chief Executive Ann Doherty.

Separately, Councillor Shannon, along with Fine Gael Councillor Des Cahill, announced the Marina would also be pedestrianised for a period of three months, which is due to start this Friday.

“Now that we’re opening the Marina you can see the whinging that’s still going on. It should have been done, and when will it happen, why does it take so long, and I hope there’ll be bollards and all this sh**e,” Mr Shannon said.