This article is from page 7 of the 2006-05-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
A WEST Clare priest is the latest person to fall foul of Clare County Council’s contentious “non-local” rule.
Last year, Fr Martin Blake lodged plans to build a home at Cloonagarnaun, Mullagh.
However, Fr Blake’s thoughts of commencing work on his dream home in the first half of 2006 were scuppered after the council despatched a series of questions relating to Fr Blake qualifying for “local status”.
The council stated that the site for the home was in open countryside, where it was the policy of the council to permit, subject to site suitability, a single home for permanent occupation of local rural persons, who could clearly demonstrate a requirement to locate in the community.
As a result, Fr Blake was told that it was necessary for the local authority to establish that he qualified as a local person.
As a result, Fr Blake was asked to submit the location of his birth, the details and length of time he has spent in the area, his place of employment and if he was a house owner.
Along with questions over Fr Blake’s local status, the council also expressed serious concern over the ability of the site to treat effluent and that it would give rise to ribbon development.
In response, Fr Blake’s consultant said that the priest was born and reared at Cloonmore, Doonbeg and had lived his entire life in his family home at Cloonmore, Doonbeg.
In relation to his employment, the council was told that Fr Blake was a relief priest working in the diocese of Killaloe.
“The applicant is not a house owner and lives with his parents.
Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) said yesterday that Fr Blake was entitled to a home in the area “as his pedigree as a local person is undisputed. He comes from an old established family in the area.”
Independent councillor, Martin Lafferty told The Clare People that by asking such details of a priest, the council was demonstrating that it treated everyone equally.
“However, the Council is getting unfairly pilloried over the policy when in fact, it has come down from Government, through national legislation, and it should become an issue for the next General Election.”
A decision is due on the application later month.