Accountability and answers needed after damming verdict returned at inquest into the deaths of Bray Firefighters

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady was welcomed the unanimous decision of the jury at the coroners court who returned narrative verdicts into the deaths of Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy who died whilst tackling a blaze in Bray on 26th September 2007. The damming verdict of Wicklow County Council was returned after 17 days of evidence, but answers are still needed from senior officials in Wicklow County Council as to why they refused to cooperate fully with the HSA and the Gardaí and why they refused to answer 1300 questions that were put to them.

After the verdict was returned Cllr Brady stated “I fully welcome the Narrative verdict which was unanimously returned by the jury at the inquest into the deaths of Bray firefighters Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy. After listen to the evidence over 17 long days the coroner allowed them mention the risk factors that caused or contributed to the circumstances relating to the men’s deaths. I still however believe that Senior Officials in the County Council have serious questions to answer around the management, operation and handling of the fire service prior to the men’s deaths and their lack of cooperation in the subsequent Health and Safety Authority and Garda investigations”.

Councillor Brady continued “In 2005 the late Brian Murray and other fire fighters staged a walkout of Bray Fire station; this was an attempt to get series issues of concern in the fire service addressed by Wicklow County Council. On that day in 2005 I was to only councillor to meet the men and listen to their serious concerns. The damming verdict returned by the jury late on Friday, found that Wicklow County council had failed to maintain the vital communications systems in Bray and Greystones fire stations. They further found there was an absence of specific instructions relating to Pre-Determined Attendances (PDAs) as to how fire fighters should respond to a series of given situations. These are just some of the issues that Brian Murray raised with me and senior officials in Wicklow in 2005. These issues were ignored when I raised them at council level and ultimately became contributory factors in the deaths of both Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy 2 years later”.

Cllr Brady went onto say “The verdict has upheld the good names of both Brian and Mark who paid the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving their community. It has been very difficult sitting in the coroner’s court over 17 days listening to the council trying to effectively blame the 2 men for their own deaths. Both families and I have been vindicated in our views that the men’s deaths were not a tragic accident, but as a result of the systematic failure of the system and those that presided over it in Wicklow County Council. I believe Wicklow County Council must now apologise to the families of Brian and Mark for the men's deaths. It was difficult for the families to listen to the evidence heard at the inquest over the 17 days. It was very detailed and painful for them to relive those terrible days, however it was remarkable to hear that whilst Brian and Mark were lying in the morgue on the day after the fire the County Manager Eddie Sheehy organised a big dinner for himself along with the then Chief Fire officer James Dunphy, Director of Services Bryan Doyle, senior council official Tom Murphy and the Senior Assistant Fire Officers Joanne O'Connor and Tadgh O'Shea in the Druids Glen. It appears that getting their story straight over remorse or compassion was their priority in the aftermath of the mens deaths".

“What we need now is accountability, 2 men are dead and the Wicklow County Manager, Eddie Sheehy, the man that presided over the system that allowed them to die must ultimately be held to account. I believe he had not only failed to cooperate fully into the investigation that led to the need by the Gardaí to raid the County Buildings he has also brought the fire service and Wicklow County Council into disrepute. He needs to explain why he and others arrested as part of the investigation refused to answer over1300 questions that were put to them. The people of Wicklow have no faith or confidence in him nor the remaining Senior Assistant Fire Officers Joanne O’Connor and Tadgh O’Shea who were also arrested and presided over the flawed system that allowed the men to die in 2007. For accountability and confidence to be restored these three need to be immediately removed from their positions” continued Brady

The Sinn Féin councillor concluded “The jury found the Council, following the purchase of a new fire tender in 2007, had failed to follow up “with appropriate training for all firefighting personnel” in the use of the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFs) which was on the new tender. In the case of the death of Mark O’Shaughnessy, the jury held specifically that he had received no CAFs training whatsoever. The Chief Fire officer for Wicklow at the time of the men’s deaths James Dunphy has subsequently retired on what I would imagine is a substantial pension. This is an unbelievable situation that the people that put fire fighters on the front line to tackle serious fires with both hands tied behind their backs and ultimately die are rewarded with golden handshakes. There is something rotten with the system that allows that. We need to learn from the deaths of Brian and Mark and never allow them happen again, people need to be held to account and not rewarded for their incompetence and failures”

Wicklow Councillors shamefully break commitments given to families of Bray Firefighters

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has hit out at Councillors from across Wicklow for shamefully making false promises to the families of the two Bray Firemen, Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy who died in a blaze in Bray in 2007 and for letting them down by not turning up as promised, to the inquest into the men's deaths that resumed in the Coroners court on Thursday last.

The councillor who has been present at the coroners court since the outset said "I am very disappointed that not one other councillor from Wicklow made the effort to attend the coroners court to hear the evidence at the inquest into the deaths of Bray firefighters Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy. The inquest resumed on Thursday last after being adjourned on March 6th. The inquest was adjourned and a lot of focus had been placed on a canister that had appeared in some of the pictures at the scene the day after the fire that weren't pictured at the scene by the Garda Forensic Unit on the day of the fire".

Cllr Brady continued "A subsequent special meeting of the County Council was called and was held on Monday 14th March to discuss the issue and the new evidence that had been heard at the inquest. Unfortunately after a circling of the wagons again on the issue by Fianna Fáil, Labour and Fine Gael and the pandering by the chairperson of the Council Jimmy O'Shaughnessy to the officials of the council the discussion was shut down and kicked to touch. However councillors from across the political spectrum stated in front of the families of Brian and Mark who attended the council meeting, that they would attend the Coroners court when the inquest resumed on 1st May. They were falling over each other on the issue saying that they couldnt talk about it at the council meeting but would attend the inquset to listen to the evidence of members of the Garda Forensic Unit and also the councils so called expert witness Michael Slattery, would carried out a report on the incident on behalf of the council".

"However quite surprisingly, not one councillor from any other party apart from myself bothered to attend when the inquest resumed. Is it any wonder people are so cynical of politicians and the promises they make. The deaths of Brian and Mark was a black day for Bray and Wicklow, not only did we loose two brave firemen, Wicklow County Council lost two employees. The councillors elected to Wicklow County Council are elected to represent all the people of Wicklow, they gave a commitment to the families after refusing to debate this serious issue on 14th March to attend the court and listen to the evidence, they unfortunately have broken this promise and have let both families down". continued Brady.

The Wicklow councillor concluded by saying "I urge the Councillors who claim to be representing the people of Wicklow to start doing so. Its not good enough to make false promises, or are they taking a leaf from the book of Pat Rabbitte who seems to think that making false promises is the type of thing you do around election time. These so called public representatives need to put the interests of the citizens of Wicklow ahead of their own reelection campaigns. I'm asking them to put aside a couple of days of their canvassing to attend the coroners court over the next week when the inquest continues".

Serious questions need to be answered on the water shut off from Vartry Reservoir in Roundwood to Wicklow

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has raised serious concerns in relation to the water shut off in the northeastern part of Wicklow. Water from the Vartry Water Treatment plant in Roundwood has been effected by water production problems since Thursday last and residents have had water pressure reduced or shut off since then. A recurrence of last years algae problem at the reservoir appears to be the problem.

Cllr Brady said "I have been inundated with calls and emails from residents from the Enniskerry, Kilmacanogue and Kilpedder areas who have either had reduced or no water since Thursday of last week. They have had no information on the nature of the problem or how long its expected to last. The Vartry reservoir in Roundwood is controlled by Dublin City Council and unfortunately residents have been kept in the dark on this problem as there seems to be a breakdown in communications between Dublin and Wicklow Councils. The seriousness of the problem seems to have escalated over the weekend and many areas now have no water. Little or no information is coming for either Wicklowor Dublin councils to residents and this needs to change".

Cllr Brady went on to say "I have spoken to engineers who have said that the problem is an algae bloom on the reservoir, this is a recurrence of the problem that effected the water supply this time last year. The problem went on for a numbers of weeks and effected many homes and business's leaving many without water for lengthily periods. It is incredible that one year on residents are now left in the same situation and still completely in the dark". 

"Not only do the residents and businesses need the water back immediately, A number of questions need to be answered as to how this problem can occur again within a year? and what preventative measures have been taken by Dublin City Council to stop the problem?" continued Brady.

The councillor concluded "I have asked for a suspension of standing orders at today's County Council meeting to discuss this very important issue. Its not acceptable in this day and age that people are left without any water, this comes at a time when water meters are being installed to try force people to pay for water. I will be requesting that more water tankers are made available in all effected areas to ensure everyone has access to clean water and that Wicklow is not adversely effected by the water being cut or reduced to ensure County Dublin's water supply is maintained. Ultimately this problem needs to be resolved as quickly as possible and that it doesn't happen again, i will also be having the issue raised in the Dáil to ensure that the Minister and Irish Water are also made aware to ensure its resolved". 

Brady expresses concern as public toilets remain locked and litter bins overflow on Bray Seafront

Bray Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has expressed concerns about the negative impact the Government's overtime and recruitment ban is having on Wicklow, its public amenities and the potential damage its inflicting on tourism. He expressed his concerns following the Easter Bank Holiday weekend which seen the litter bins overflowing on Bray Seafront and the public toilets remaining closed on Friday, because no one from the council was available to open them.

Cllr Brady said "Over the weekend i had been contacted by a number of business people and members of the public in relation to the seafront area of Bray. On Good Friday the public toilets on the seafront remained closed all day long. When i contacted the council i was informed this was down to staffing issues. I informed them that it was not acceptable that they remain closed and i asked them to ensure they were opened for the remainder of the weekend. A substantial refurbishment of the toilets was recently carried out and to have them closed when the seafront is packed with both local people and visitors to the town sends out all the wrong signals".

He went onto say "The problems in the area were further compounded on Monday when the bins in the area were left overflowing and were not emptied until Tuesday morning. The rubbish was blowing all over the area and many people were left with a negative impression of the seafront and of the town".

"Normally the area is kept to the highest of standards by the council outdoor staff. Everyone that visits Bray always have nothing but good to say about the seafront. I am concerned however that the overtime and recruitment ban that the government have in place is having a negative impact on the excellent work that's carried out in the area. Overflowing bins and locked public toilets don't portray a good image and it has the potential to damage the area as an attraction for tourists" continued Brady.

Cllr Brady concluded "I am calling on both the government and the council to ensure that the proper resources are put into maintaining our public amenities and to ensure the overtime ban is lifted to ensure that areas like the seafront in Bray get the staff that are needed to maintain it at critical times such as weekends and Bank Holiday's. We need to be doing everything possible to sell the town in a positive light to exploit its tourist potential, the solution to this problem is simple and i urge the Government TDs to use their power to ensure the crazy overtime ban is lifted to ensure we don't have a re occurrence of weekends such as this".

Wicklow Sinn Féin hold Annual Easter 1916 Commemoration in Bray

Wicklow Sinn Féin held their Easter 1916 County commemoration in Bray on Easter Monday. A large crowd was led by the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band. An all female colour party carried the flags, this was to mark the 100 anniversary of the formation of Cumann na mBan. 

The rally was led to the 1798 monument on Castle Street and the proceedings were chaired by Bray Sinn Féin representative Oliver O'Brien. He welcomed the large crowd to the 98 anniversary of the Easter Rising and called on Mary McDonald from Arklow to read the Proclamation of Independence. A wreath was laid to remember all who lost their lives in the struggle for Irish Independence. Oliver O' Brien then introduced the main speaker, Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady.

In the main oration Councillor Brady welcomed the large crowd and said it was time to rededicate ourselves to the Republic that was declared 98 years ago, he went onto say "In two years time, we will celebrate the centenary of the Rising. That will be an occasion to both reflect upon the legacy of the Rising and the Proclamation, and what they must mean for the future. It is an opportunity to build a popular national consciousness on the true values of the Proclamation, and to encourage Irish citizens and the Diaspora to reclaim the spirit of 1916".

He went onto say "Sinn Féin is about realising the vision of 1916 and making the noble ideals contained in the Proclamation a reality for Irish people. We seek to undo the ‘carnival of reaction’ initiated by the partition of our country. Sinn Féin wants to see the reconquest of Ireland by the people of Ireland — a real republic where the citizens and not vested interests — whether in politics, banking, the institutions of state or foreign governments— are in control"

Brady continued "Our vision is of a New Republic for the 21st century, which - like the Proclamation of 1916 - guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens; cherishes all the children of the nation equally and is anti-sectarian. This means equal rights for those in same sex relationships, ethnic minorities and those of all creeds and none"

"The enforced austerity by the coalition in Dublin and the coalition in London is the antithesis of everything the Rising and Proclamation envisaged. To stand for the ideals of 1916, must mean standing against austerity; and standing up for the vulnerable, those unable to care for themselves, and the working poor, north and south" continued Brady.

He concluded his oration by saying "Elections have always provided a platform for advancing the republican cause. The Local and EU elections in a few weeks time – where every voter in Ireland, North and South, has the chance to vote Sinn Féin, offers republicans an opportunity to significantly advance the cause of an Irish Republic".

The commemoration ended with the playing of the National Anthem before marching back up to the Town Hall

Shopfront Grant Scheme should be extended to cover the Little Bray Area

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has called on Bray Town Council to extend the Shopfront Grant Scheme to cover the Castle Street area of Little Bray. The scheme currently only covers the Main Street area and provides a grant of up to 50% of the costs of replacing the shopfronts by retailers.

Whilst welcoming the scheme Councillor Brady said "This is a good scheme that can provided a grant of 50% for works less than €6,000 and 40% for works exceeding that amount and over up to a maximum grant of €7,500.00. I welcome the scheme and I believe the scheme if bought into by the retailers will greatly enhance the town and I urge all retailers to look at it and make an application".

"I do however believe the catchment area for the grant should be extended. Currently the scheme will apply to all existing independent retailers situated on Main Street from Bray Bridge to the Town Hall Area. However I believe it should be extended to all the retailers and rate payers in the town including the Castle Street area. Little Bray is nearly always forgotten about, but it also plays a key roll in retail in the town and it should be included" continued Brady.

Brady continued "This scheme is aimed at improving the appearance of shopfronts in the town and this will include removing the external shutters and placing them inside the front window of the store along with replacing and improving the fascia’s and signage. Castle Street is one of the main routes into the town and has a lot of retail units along it. I have been approached by a number of interested retailers from the area about the grant scheme who want to try improve their units also. Unfortunately the current terms of the grant exclude them from applying. I am now calling on Bray Town Council to extend the scheme to cover the area because it will benefit all other areas of the town also by enhancing and improving the area".

Brady concluded "The closing date for applications is 2nd May 2014 and I urge all retailers to have a look at the scheme and make an application. More information on the scheme can be obtained on the council website or by contacting me".

Fianna Fáil labelled as Politically Opportunistic Hypocrites on water charges

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady and Bray representative Oliver O’Brien have hit out at Fianna Fáil and called them hypocrites on the issue of water charges. They went further to say that both Fine Gael and Labour are trying to spin their way through the upcoming elections by attempting to fool the electorate.

Speaking after the news on Wednesday that households would pay an average of at least €240 a year for the next two years for water charges, Councillor Brady said “Over the last few days there has been a lot of media focus on the issue of water charges. Sinn Féin and I have been consistent in our opposition to water charges because they are a flat aggressive tax that will impact most on working families. However the sheer opportunistic hypocrisy from Fianna Fáil on the issue is unbelievable”.

Oliver O’Brien “Over the last few days we have seen Fianna Fáil local election candidates issue statements condemn Fine Gael and Labour over water charges. The reality is Fianna Fáil first proposed water charges in their National Recovery Plan 2011 – 2014, that plan envisaged an average charge of €400. This is nothing but pure political opportunistic hypocrisy from the party that brought the Country to its knees”.

Brady continued “On Wednesday last we heard Enda Kenny say that he expects the average bill for water will be €240 a year. The bottom line is the proposed Water Charges are another tax on struggling families, are unfair and unjust, and make no economic sense. Once introduced Water Charges would be increased over time and ultimately privatised. The spin coming from Fine Gael and in particular the Labour party is a clear attempt to spin their way through the upcoming election. Irrespective as to how much a standing charge is forcing people to pay another stealth tax, particularly for water is unjust”.

Oliver concluded “The Government’s Water Charge is borrowed from Fianna Fáil and opposed at that time by the Labour Party, is another tax on top of all the other taxes and charges faced by struggling families, who have already been hit with an unprecedented list of taxes and stealth charges. In the upcoming elections people will have an ideal chance to pass judgement on the government and Fianna Fáil on this and other issues.  Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil are all cut from the same cloth and they should be held to account for their actions”.

An Post called on to intervene to secure future of Little Bray Post Office

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has called on An Post to intervene to save the post office in Little Bray. The post office opened in theCostcutters store at Sunnybank in 2011 after a campaign by Sinn Féin, however the future of the post office has been uncertain since theCostcutter store closed in November 2013.

Councillor Brady said "Following a successful campaign by Sinn Féin to have a post office opened in Little Bray, one opened in theCostcutters store at Sunnybank on the Upper Dargle Road. The post office which is a huge benefit to the entire Little Bray area was located In the Costcutters store".

"Unfortunately Costcutters closed last November leaving the In store post office open in the back of the large unit. This was deemed a temporary arrangement until a new tenant was found. Security concerns have been raised for both the staff and users of the post office and going forward it appears that the current situation is not tenable and it's future uncertain" continued Brady.

"The management of the post office have identified an alternative premises for the post office in the Little Bray area to ensure the community continue to have the critical and excellent services of the post office. However it's estimated the move will cost in the region of €36,000 which the Postmistress of the post office is expected to foot".

Councillor Brady concluded "An Post are the ones putting pressure on the postmistress to make the move to a new premises. I think it's grossly unfair to expect the postmistress to foot the huge cost. I have contacted the Chief Executive of An Post Donal Connell to ensure there is assistance given to cover the cost of the move. It is important that the post office is retained in Little Bray and the uncertainty of its future must be brought to an end, this can only be done by An Post, they need to put the needs of the community first. My colleague Councillor Rossa Murray and I led a campaign to secure the post office for the area and we will fight even harder to ensure it stays".

Brady welcomes the Wind Turbine Legislation Bill

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has welcomed the news that the government will not oppose the Wind Turbine Legislation Bill that Sinn Féin has proposed. The Bill if enacted will see strict regulation of the location and operation of wind farms. The Bill that would replace the existing guidelines with a statutory provision for setback distances of ten times the height of a wind turbine.

The legislation would also prevent electricity generated from wind being exported before Ireland achieves its targets in renewable energy.

Councillor Brady said “Wind farms have become a huge cause of concern here in Wicklow and the proposal for industrial scale wind farms has generated massive debate and a lot of local opposition. We have seen applications for turbines of a height and size never seen before in this country. Many people are frightened by the prospect of huge turbines being erected in their hundreds and the impact that would have on the landscape and potentially on the quality of people’s lives.  Due to the concerns of the public in Wicklow a review of the County Council Development Plan is ongoing and a council meeting will take place on April 28^th to discuss the proposed amendments to the plan.

“We clearly need planning regulations that are fit for purpose and are mandatory rather than voluntary or suggestions. One of the key proposals in this Bill that the government has stated it will not oppose is that there is a minimum setback distance of ten times the height of the turbines. All proposed wind farms must also comply with and be consistent with County Development plans, and that they cannot be over ridden by the Strategic Infrastructure Act of 2006. Wind farms must be located in areas zoned by local councillors.

“While the export of electricity from wind and other renewable sources has a lot of potential for this country in the future, we should be reducing our own dependency on imported fossil fuels, before we go down that road. This Bill will also prevent electricity generated from wind being exported before Ireland achieves its targets in renewable energy. There is huge opposition to Wind Farms in the UK and we can’t allow Ireland to become blighted with wind turbines solely to supply the UK market” concluded Brady. Ends

Bray Town Council must act on former Superquinn site on Southern Cross

Bray Sinn Féin election candidate Oliver O'Brien has called on Bray Town Council to act to ensure that dumping and other illegal activities are ended at a site on the Southern Cross Road that was due to be development as part of the Superquinn chain of supermarkets.  He made the call after meeting with the residents association of the neighbouring Deer Park, Whiteoaks, Heatherwood and Ard Na Greine estates, he further went onto say that ultimately whats needed is the development of the site for the purpose it was zoned to provide services for the residents in the area.

After meeting the residents association Oliver said "The saga of the undeveloped Superquinn site has now been dragging on for many years and unfortunately has been left in a limbo since Musgraves took over Superquinn last year. The residents of the Southerncross area have not only been left without critical infrastructure such as a shop, they have been left with a large site where illegal dumping is rampant. I am now calling on the council to ensure the owner of the site has it cleaned up, secured and that the council us all its influence to ensure that the site is developed in accordance with the planning permission that was granted".

"In 2007 the councillors on Bray Town Council voted to dispose of their interests in 1.78 acres of the site for €14.4million. Planning permission was granted for a supermarket and other ancillary neighbourhood uses, it also has planning for a 6 screen cinema. There is a financial clause in the contract the council made with the owner of the site to keep pressure on them to ensure it was developed, this clause now needs to be enforced" continued O'Brien

"The residents along the Southerncross are long overdue the local infrastructure that's so badly needed. Bray also badly needs a cinema and the residents in the neighbouring estates of Deer Park, Heatherwood, White Oaks, Ard Na Greine and Mountain View Drive need the anti social behaviour to stop, the site secured and cleaned up. My colleague councillor John Brady has constantly been raising this at council level and the council must now act under the powers they have under the Litter Act and also the clause they have dating back to the time of the sale of the site in 2007" concluded O'Brien.

The importance of using your hard won vote

On May 23^rd we will be able to shape our future by exercising our democratic right to vote in the Local Government and European Elections. Unfortunately a sizable percentage of the Irish electorate either don’t bother coming out to help shape their future or are simply not registered to vote. In the last local elections only 57.7% voted, in the general election in 2011 69.19% of voters exercised their right to vote.

There are many reasons why people don’t engage in the democratic process. I think it’s really unfortunate and disappointing that such a large percentage of the electorate don’t come out and have their say. When we look at images from countries such as South Africa and the thousands of people queuing up, in many cases for hours on end to vote in the Country’s first free election, which was held 27 April 1994. Democracy and the right to vote has been a long tough fight and is only a fairly new concept here in Ireland, unfortunately people take it for granted and don’t see the importance of it and how it effects them on a daily basis.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, the suffragette movement fought a campaign to get women the right to vote. Demonstrations included chaining themselves to railings and setting fire to mailbox contents. One woman, Emily Davison, died at the Epsom Derby when she was run down by the King's horse. Many suffragettes were imprisoned in Holloway Prison in London, and were force-fed after going on hunger strike. It wasn’t until 1918 that women first cast here were allowed to vote in the general election after winning the right to Universal suffrage in 1918. But their trip to the polls came with certain conditions - they had to be over thirty years of age and land owners. Constance Markievicz who gained 7,835 votes in a Dublin constituency and became the first woman elected MP to the Westminster Parliament. She did not take her seat in Westminster and became Minister for Labour in the First Dáil.

Before the Electoral Act of 1968-9, government elections in Northern Ireland allowed owners of businesses to cast more than one vote. This ensured the Unionists controlled the 6 counties and ultimately led to the Civil Rights campaign and one of the key demands of ‘One man, one Vote’. It was a real case of we are all equal, but some are more equal than others.  African-Americans only won the right to vote through the Voting Rights Act of 1965 after a lengthy campaign. The act expanded federal authority over states to ensure black political participation through protection of voter registration and elections.

Unfortunately the right to vote here is taken for granted and some voters have been turned off politics by previous experiences or interactions with politicians or witnessing how successive governments disregard the electorate once they take power. Democracy in Ireland is for one day every five years, then a select few implement what they think the people want as opposed to doing the job they are elected to do which is represent the people. I believe Sinn Féin and I are different, I believe in a Participatory democracy, were the needs and views of the people are paramount.

More needs to be done to educate and show people the importance of voting and how politics affect most things in your daily life, everything from the price of a pint of milk to the cost of petrol, from the number of children in a class to the type of community you live.  On Friday May 23^rd people in Wicklow will have the privilege of voting to elect people to represent them on Wicklow County Council and also in the European Parliament.  By not voting you are ensuring that the status quo remains. That status quo is the system operated by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour. A system that have destroyed our economy resulting in high unemployment, emigration, front line services decimated, more taxes and a system with a total lack of accountability or transparency.

Sinn Fein wants to end that system to ensure people and communities in Wicklow come first. We are standing a great team of candidate’s right across the County and we have an excellent European candidate Liadh NÍ Riada. It’s important firstly to ensure you are registered to vote and you can do so by checking www.checktheregister.ie or contacting any of the Sinn Féin candidates.

If not registered you have until May 6^th to do so by filling out a RFA2 form

http://www.checktheregister.ie/appforms/RFA2_English_Form.pdf

Voting will take place on Friday 23 May 2014. Polling will be between the hours of 7am and 10pm on that day.

Please remember the long and hard struggle that was fought to ensure you have the right of a vote, it only takes a few minutes to do so. Remember that if you don’t you have no right to sit at home and criticise the government for making cuts or increasing taxes or the lack of facilities in your community, you have a powerful weapon and that’s your vote, so please use it.

Brady calls on Lidl to Live up to their Social Obligations

Bray Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has called on Wicklow County Council to redouble their efforts to get additional sites for recycling bring banks in the Little Bray area of the town. Currently there is only one bring centre in the area which is located at the Community Centre in Fassaroe.

Speaking after raising the issue at a recent council meeting councillor Brady said "I have been contacted by a number of constituents who were voicing their concerns about the lack of recycling facilities in the Little Bray area. The Community Centre in Fassaroe has a bring centre allowing people dispose of their beverage cans and bottles. However this is the only one in the Little Bray area. Previously there had been one located in the car park of Super Value or Superquinn as it was then, however this was removed to facilitate works and has never been reinstated. The Community Centre in Fassaroe provides an excellent option for people with their recycling, but its not a realistic option for people living along Castle street or Dwyer park".

Cllr Brady continued "I think the County council must redouble their efforts to find an additional site or sites in the area. I have written to the management of the Lidl store which is located on the Old Dublin Road and asked them to change their policy of not allowing bottle banks to be located at any of their stores. I believe there is ample space on the site of the old Industrial Yarns to accommodate a bring centre to give people in the Little Bray area another option to the only one that exists in Fassaroe".

"With waste costs increasing more and more people want to recycle to keep their bills down, however it makes no sense either financially or environmentally to jump into a car and drive with your recycling to a bring centre. They should be within walking distance for them be effective. There are concerns from some members of the public when bottle banks are located in residential areas, however the site at Lidl which is very assessable is not located near any residential properties. I urge the management of the store at a national level to live up to their social obligations and change their current policies of not allowing bottle banks. I also call on the environment section of Wicklow County Council to continue their work in trying to identify a site in the Little Bray area" concluded Brady.

Brady welcomes Community and Sporting Grants From Wicklow Local Authorities

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has encouraged community and sporting groups and organisations to apply for funding under the Wicklow County Council Community Awards Scheme and the Bray Town Council Sports Grant, both of which are accepting applications now.

Welcoming both grant schemes Councillor Brady said "I welcome both schemes that are operated separately by Wicklow County Council and Bray Town Council. Wicklow has an overall fund of €70,000 in the Community Awards Scheme and Bray Town Council has a fund of €80,000 in a new Sports fund. I think it’s great to see schemes like this which allow funds to go directly into the many excellent community and sporting organisations throughout the County, many of which are struggling to stay afloat. These grants not only give recognition for the great work they do but also give a badly needed lifeline".

Speaking about the Bray Town Council Sports Grant Cllr Brady said "I am delighted that the council accepted my proposal for a Sports Grant and €80,000 set aside for it. The grant is available to all sporting clubs/organisations in the Bray area and application forms are now available. It is designed to support the purchase of sports equipment and the training aids to promote increased sports participation by Bray people and to enable existing clubs to continue to develop. Applications must be returned on or before Wednesday 23rd April 2014”.

Cllr Brady continued “The Community Awards Scheme is operated by Wicklow County Council and applications are now being accepted. The Scheme has an overall fund of €70,000 and is to assist local community and voluntary groups and sporting organisations that would benefit from small scale or once-off funding to support the groups’ activities or to develop a particular project. The scheme is open to clubs, communities and organisations from right across the County. The closing date for applications for the grants is from Wicklow is Thursday24^th April".

Councillor Brady concluded “These are excellent schemes and I encourage all groups across Bray and Wicklow to check these grants out as they may be beneficial to their community, club or organisation.  People can contact me on 087-0666780 or johnbradysf@gmail.com for an application form or to get more information or indeed if help is needed in filling it out”.

  

To get more information or download application form for the Bray Town council Sports Grant:

http://braytowncouncil.ie/pages/posts/bray-town-council-sports-grant503.php

To download or get more information on the Wicklow County Council Community Awards Scheme:

http://www.wicklow.ie/apps/wicklowbeta/News/CommAwards2014.aspx

People Fought, Died and Bled for your Right to Vote

On May 23^rd we will be able to shape our future by exercising our democratic right to vote in the Local Government and European Elections. Unfortunately a sizable percentage of the Irish electorate either don’t bother coming out to help shape their future or are simply not registered to vote. In the last local elections only 57.7% voted, in the general election in 2011 69.19% of voters exercised their right to vote.

There are many reasons why people don’t engage in the democratic process. I think it’s really unfortunate and disappointing that such a large percentage of the electorate don’t come out and have their say. When we look at images from countries such as South Africa and the thousands of people queuing up, in many cases for hours on end to vote in the Country’s first free election, which was held 27 April 1994. Democracy and the right to vote has been a long tough fight and is only a fairly new concept here in Ireland, unfortunately people take it for granted and don’t see the importance of it and how it effects them on a daily basis.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, the suffragette movement fought a campaign to get women the right to vote. Demonstrations included chaining themselves to railings and setting fire to mailbox contents. One woman, Emily Davison, died at the Epsom Derby when she was run down by the King's horse. Many suffragettes were imprisoned in Holloway Prison in London, and were force-fed after going on hunger strike. It wasn’t until 1918 that women first cast here were allowed to vote in the general election after winning the right to Universal suffrage in 1918. But their trip to the polls came with certain conditions - they had to be over thirty years of age and land owners. Constance Markievicz who gained 7,835 votes in a Dublin constituency and became the first woman elected MP to the Westminster Parliament. She did not take her seat in Westminster and became Minister for Labour in the First Dáil.

Before the Electoral Act of 1968-9, government elections in Northern Ireland allowed owners of businesses to cast more than one vote. This ensured the Unionists controlled the 6 counties and ultimately led to the Civil Rights campaign and one of the key demands of ‘One man, one Vote’. It was a real case of we are all equal, but some are more equal than others.  African-Americans only won the right to vote through the Voting Rights Act of 1965 after a lengthy campaign. The act expanded federal authority over states to ensure black political participation through protection of voter registration and elections.

Unfortunately the right to vote here is taken for granted and some voters have been turned off politics by previous experiences or interactions with politicians or witnessing how successive governments disregard the electorate once they take power. Democracy in Ireland is for one day every five years, then a select few implement what they think the people want as opposed to doing the job they are elected to do which is represent the people. I believe Sinn Féin and I are different, I believe in a Participatory democracy, were the needs and views of the people are paramount.

More needs to be done to educate and show people the importance of voting and how politics affect most things in your daily life, everything from the price of a pint of milk to the cost of petrol, from the number of children in a class to the type of community you live.  On Friday May 23^rd people in Wicklow will have the privilege of voting to elect people to represent them on Wicklow County Council and also in the European Parliament.  By not voting you are ensuring that the status quo remains. That status quo is the system operated by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour. A system that have destroyed our economy resulting in high unemployment, emigration, front line services decimated, more taxes and a system with a total lack of accountability or transparency.

Sinn Fein wants to end that system to ensure people and communities in Wicklow come first. We are standing a great team of candidate’s right across the County and we have an excellent European candidate Liadh NÍ Riada. It’s important firstly to ensure you are registered to vote and you can do so by checking www.checktheregister.ie or contacting any of the Sinn Féin candidates.

If not registered you have until May 6^th to do so by filling out a RFA2 form

http://www.checktheregister.ie/appforms/RFA2_English_Form.pdf

Voting will take place on Friday 23 May 2014. Polling will be between the hours of 7am and 10pm on that day.

Please remember the long and hard struggle that was fought to ensure you have the right of a vote, it only takes a few minutes to do so. Remember that if you don’t you have no right to sit at home and criticise the government for making cuts or increasing taxes or the lack of facilities in your community, you have a powerful weapon and that’s your vote, so please use it.

Wicklow County Council to hold special meeting to discuss important evidence presented at Bray firefighters inquest

A special meeting of Wicklow County Council has been called to discuss the  new evidence that has been heard at the inquest into the deaths of Bray Firefighters Brian Murray and 

Mark O'Shaughnessy. The meeting will take place this Friday 14th March at 11am.

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady who supported the call for the meeting said "A number of Councillors have come together and called the special meeting of Wicklow County Council to discuss issues relating to the inquest into the deaths of Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy who died tackling a blaze in Bray in 2007. At the inquest on Thursday last critical new information can to light regarding a can the council and their fire consultant Michael Slatterty claim was found in the building, they claim it was the most probable cause of the two men's deaths. The Gardaí interjected at the inquest and showed pictures taken on the day of the fire that clearly show that there was no such canister present."

Brady continued "It is important that the council meeting takes place. In November of last year Michael Slattery presented his report to the council and at that stage i was very critical of it. However in my opinion that report which cost €53,777 has been totally discredited in the coroners court and answers are needed. We need to find out who moved or put the can in the sealed off building and why. The tampering or placing of evidence appeared to have happened sometime between the Gardaí leaving the premises on the 26th September 2007and the entering of the building the following day by Michael Slattery and 3 officials from the council ."   

Cllr Brady concluded"We need to see a full Garda investigation into this incident, but i will also be pushing for an independent investigation to be carried out. I will also be proposing another no confidence motion in the Wicklow County Manager Eddie Sheehy due to his mishandling of the fire service over many years. I think its important that all councillors are given the opportunity to examine their own conscious and why they voted to support the manger at the last vote in November. I believe they done so on the back of a dubious report that had been presented to them by Michael Slattery which implied that Mark and Brian where in the wrong place at the wrong time and nobody could have foreseen the explosion that happened due the the canister. This theory has now been totally discredited as it has been shown that the can wasn't present where the council and Slattery claim it was. These councillors have no choice but to vote no confidence in the County Manager and to seek a full Garda investigation into the matter."

Gardaí need to investigate if evidence was tampered with at scene of fire that killed Bray Firefighters-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has said there needs to be a full Garda investigation to establish the facts of how a five litre tin that may have contained a flammable liquid was mysteriously found at the scene of the fire at Adelaide Villas in Bray that Killed firefighters Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy the day after the fatal fire on September 26^th 2007. The Forensic Crime Scene Investigation Unit from the Gardaí carried out a full search of the scene immediately after the fire on the 26th and no can was photographed at the locating it was subsequently found.

Speaking after leaving the inquest into the deaths of Brian and Mark which was adjourned on Thursday Councillor John Brady said “There was a dramatic turn of events on Thursday at the inquest into the deaths of Bray Firefighters Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy when evidence was shown that a can mysteriously appeared at the scene the day after the fire. The significance of this is huge as Wicklow County Council and their experts say it possibly contained a liquid and may have expanded during the blaze, creating vapours that blew off the screw top cap, causing an explosion, resulting in a fireball which incapacitated the men and led to their deaths.”

“Once the fire was extinguished on the 26^th September at about 3pm the Crime Scene Investigation Unit from the Gardaí entered the burnt out premises at Adelaide Villas and photographed the entire area. The scene was then secured and released at about 6.30pm. The following day Michael Slattery of Slattery and Associates of Dublin who was engaged by Wicklow County Council to investigate the fire entered the sealed building with Wicklow fire officials, then Chief Fire Officer, Jim Dunphy, and two senior assistant chief fire officers, Joanne O’Connor and Tadhg O’Shea. They photographed the interior of the building and the slightly singed can was mysteriously found on a pile of burnt debris, its lid lying beside it and contents label still legible.”

Brady continued “The Council and their experts have but huge emphasis on the presence of this can and Michael Slattery was paid in excess of €53,777 to draft a report which essentially shows how the can exploded causing a huge fireball and ultimately killing Brian and Mark.  At the inquest photos shown by the Gardaí that were taken on the 26^th September clearly show that there was no such can where the Council and Michael Slattery claim to have found it the following day.”

“Over the course of the inquest we have heard evidence about the manning levels in the fire service, radios not working, not enough fire tenders being dispatched, and the lack of training given to firefighters, recordings in the watch room at the fire station in Bray getting wiped from the system. However the dramatic evidence on Thursday relating to the can clearly calls into question the credibility of the Slattery report, his hypothesis on the can and its resulting effects.”

Cllr Brady concluded “The evidence clearly shows that the can mysteriously appeared sometime between 6.30pm on the 26^th September 2007 and the time the senior staff from Wicklow County Council and Michael Slattery photographed its presence the following day. This raises the following serious questions, who put the can there? Why did they put it there? The tampering of a crime scene is a serious offence and so too is the planting or fabrication of evidence. I believe the Gardaí must now investigate this to establish the answers to these questions and hold the person or persons responsible.”

Brady calls on Council not to co-operate with Gateway Scheme

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has called on Wicklow County council not to co-operate with the implementation of the new Gateway Scheme which he has described as a slave labour initiative. The scheme aims to recruit 3,000 employees for local authorities from the live register to work for their dole plus €20.

Councillor Brady said “At the March monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council I raised the Governments latest attempt to artificially reduce the unemployment figures with the implementation of what’s called the Gateway scheme. Local authorities have been decimated over the last few years by a huge reduction in numbers due to the recruitment embargo which has left many positions unfilled; it has had a devastating impact on local authorities’ ability to deliver frontline services.”

“Gateway is in effect a scheme which entails 22 months of hard labour for a measly €20 top-up. This scheme will do nothing to improve local services which are being cut due to lack of funding and a recruitment embargo. This scheme punishes people who are on the live register in many cases through no fault of their own. It would be of more benefit to those on the live register and the economy as a whole if the Minister of Social protection Joan Burton, ironically a Labour minister, directed the necessary funding into providing more sustainable employment.”

Brady continued “At the council meeting on Monday last I called on the council not to degrade the work which is done by their staff by buying in to a scheme which amounts to slave labour and for the council not to cooperate with the scheme. There is no up skilling or training for those that are selected to partake in the scheme and it won’t enhance the prospects of them getting a job at the end of the 22 months, they will simply become another statistic on the live register.”

The Sinn Fein councillor concluded “The vast majority of unemployed people want to work, but they want to work in a meaningful job. How does it benefit a college graduate who will be put to work cleaning road traffic signs or sweeping the road? What we need is a proper stimulus and jobs plan to get people back to work. Exploiting people and forcing them to work on demeaning schemes such as Gateway is wrong and it amounts to little more than slave labour.”

Brady gives cautious welcome to Oldcourt Park Road scheme

Councillor John Brady has given a cautious welcome to a plan to try address safety issues on the Oldcourt Park Road which is one of the most dangerous roads in the Bray. The plan received unanimous support at the March meeting of Bray Town Council.

The Sinn Féin councillor said "I am delighted that at long last a plan has been designed and is to be implemented to try solve safety issues on the Old Soldiers Road. The road is one of the most dangerous roads in Bray. On a daily basis motorists have to resort to mounting footpaths when cars meet and pass on the road, many doing so at high speed. This poses serious risks for the local residents and pedestrians."

Brady continued "The plan which was unanimously supported at the March meeting of Bray Town Council will see a traffic island and a chicane constructed opposite the green at Oldcourt Avenue between St. Clarie's Terrace. A 10m one-way section will be implemented. The traffic will pass through the one-way section in the direction from the Boghall Road to the Killarney Road and a new hammer head turning area will be constructed to facilitate traffic to turn and return to the Killarney Road when they meet the one-way section at St. Claire's Terrace."

Councillor Brady went onto say "I must commend the residents who have campaigned on this issue over the last 18months and also to the residents who previously tried unsuccessfully to get action. 18 months ago local concerned residents formed a committee following a public meeting i had organised in the area which was focused on trying to get a resolution to the serious traffic concerns on the road which was and continues to effect the residents. The plan i believe will address the issues the residents are experiencing, however additional traffic calming measures will be needed along the Old Soldiers Road and stringent enforcement needs to take place to ensure motorists don't enter the one-way section from the wrong direction. Red Light Enforcement Cameras which are undergoing testing in Dublin should be looked at with a view of installing them as part of the scheme. Changes to the parking arrangements for the residents of St.Claire's Terrace are also needed to ensure the cars of local residents are protected by removing them from the road side."

Cllr Brady concluded "It is planned on advertising this scheme for a four week period before the work commences and the changes are implemented. Proper signage will be critical for the success of the scheme to ensure motorists are aware of the changes. One of the many positives in relation to the scheme is that emergency vehicles will have full access to all sections of Oldcourt Park Road and Soldiers Road from both directions. The scheme will be reviewed after a six month period to establish if its working and if any adjustments are required. This plan if enforced will lead to a large reduction of the area being used as a rat run and over all i give it a cautious welcome"