All About Cork: Hundreds gather to protest Ballincollig 'super casino'

A crowd of almost 500 people took to the streets in Ballincollig on Saturday to protest against the recent decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to overturn Cork City Council’s refusal of permission for a what has been dubbed a “super casino”.

Last summer, Cork City Council refused permission to Coalquay Leisure Ltd for a gaming and amusement arcade at Unit 4, Westside Retail Park, which would be open from 9am to 1am daily, saying that the “adult-orientated nature” and its proximity to existing retail outlets described as intrinsically “family-friendly” would damage other retailers. However, last month An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned the decision and gave the green light to the plan.

Among those speaking at the protest was Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central Colm Burke, who said that while he fully respected the independence of the planning commission, he was deeply disappointed at its decision to approve a casino in Ballincollig.

“This type of development is not appropriate for Ballincollig and does not reflect the wishes or needs of the local community,” Mr Burke said. “Ballincollig is a strong, family-focused area with a proud community spirit, and that must be protected. We need further amenities, not a casino.”

Ballincollig-based Fine Gael senator Garret Kelleher said An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision to overturn Cork City Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the proposed casino was “massively disappointing”.

“It shows a complete lack of understanding of the positive planning and development that has taken place Ballincollig in recent years, of which we are immensely proud,” he said.

Saturday’s protest was about standing together against what those in attendance believed was an incorrect interpretation of the Cork City development plan, he added.

“It was an effort to make a clear and simple statement that this casino is not wanted by those of us who are proud to call Ballincollig home.”

Sinn Fein councillor Joe Lynch said the demonstration had been a display of community power.

“Hundreds of people from right across Ballincollig were in attendance, all united in saying to those behind this proposal that the community do not want this and that they are not welcome in Ballincollig,” he said.

“They should take this proposal off the table and leave our village be.”

The Echo contacted Coalquay Leisure Ltd for comment.

Toy Library to reopen

The Toy Library in Ballincollig’s Carraig Centre will re-open at 11.30pm this Friday, November 7, for an hour, and it will be open the first Friday of every month. 

“We’re back in business and ready to welcome,” says the sign on the door.

The Toy Library is located in the west wing of the Carraig Centre, a large hall which also hosts the Sparks toddler group every Friday morning in term time.

The Toy Library offers a wide range of toys for loan, with items ranging from puzzles, board games and educational toys to action figures, farm animals, dinosaurs, puppets, ride-on toys and baby toys. 

Toys are loaned for one month, but if you would like to extend that period, they can be kept for up to three months.

The library charges a one-off joining fee of €2 per family, with that fee going mainly toward helping with storage and cleaning costs.

All are welcome. For further details see www.carraigcentre.ie or email katie20gould@gmail.com. The Carraig Centre is located on the Old Fort Road in Ballincollig, P31PV20.

Graveyard Mass and blessing

Every November, Catholics across the world remember the souls of the faithful departed, or the Holy Souls. The Catholic Church teaches that the purification of the souls in purgatory can be helped by the faithful on Earth. 

The roots of that teaching can be traced back to the practice of prayer for the dead mentioned in the Old Testament in 2 Maccabees 12:42–46.

In Ballincollig, the annual St Mary’s and St John’s graveyard Mass will take place in the adjacent church, adjacent to the cemetery at midday on this Saturday, November 9, and will be followed by the blessing of graves.

A Novena for the Holy Souls will be held in St Mary’s and St John’s at 7.30pm every evening until Monday, November 10.

The annual candle Mass for all who have passed away over the course of the past 12 months will be held at 7.30pm on Friday, November 7 in the church of St Mary’s and St John’s.

The graveyard Mass in St Mary’s and St John’s will be held at midday on Saturday, November 8.

Ballincollig GAA Club lottery

The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which was held on Thursday, October 30, were 2, 3, 15, and 35. There was no winner of the €17,600 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners for club supporters, with this week’s prizes doubled, and €200 going to Áine Considine, €100 to Sandra O’Sullivan, and €100 to Abi O’Donoghue.

Ballincollig GAA Club has migrated its lottery to its club platform ClubZap.

For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com.

The jackpot for this week’s lottery draw, which will take place on this Thursday, November 6, now stands at €17,800.