Refurbishment work in Ballywaltrim Playground completed

The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray, John Brady has welcomed the completion of the refurbishment and upgrade works on the playground in Ballywaltrim, Bray.

Speaking after visiting the site Councillor Bray said "Its great to see the children from the community in Ballywaltrim and further afield playing and enjoying the newly refurbished playground. The work on the playground is substantially completed. This is a huge investment in the Ballywaltrim area and we now have a brilliant top quality playground which is a great asset to the entire community".

"There are still some other works to be carried out including the installation of public lighting and some planting. I've also asked the council to paint the railings around the original playground to freshen it up."

Brady continued "I've also been in contact with the Gardaí to ensure the CCTV is trained on the playground and that there are more foot patrols in the area to ensure there is no antisocial behavior. This upgrade has come about following lobbying from the community and members of the Ballywaltrim Community Playground Committee and a huge investment by the local authority and it needs to be protected for the community."

Cllr Brady concluded "I'm delighted to have played my part along with many others in delivering this upgrade and i look forward to ensuring the other playgrounds across Wicklow are upgraded and that communities campaigning for them are successful also." Ends

Wicklow County Council agree to fly the Rainbow Flag during the Wicklow Pride Festival

Sinn Féin Councillor and General Election candidate John Brady has expressed delight that his proposal to fly the Rainbow flag from the Wicklow County Council Buildings in Wicklow Town to coincide with the Wicklow Pride Festival that takes place in the County in June and July.

Speaking after the decision to fly the flag Councillor Brady said “I’m delighted that a decision was taken by the protocol committee of the Council to support my proposal to fly the Rainbow Flag from the County Buildings to coincide with the Wicklow Pride Festival that takes place from 29th June to 4th July. I believe it’s an important decision and makes a powerful statement that the council is committed to working to do all that it can to tackle hate crime and discrimination and supports inclusiveness and diversity.”

Cllr Brady went onto say “The rainbow flag was popularised as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and diversity by San Franciscan artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. The different colours symbolize diversity in the gay community, and the flag is used predominantly at gay pride events worldwide.”

Cllr Brady concluded “It would be great if the Municipal District offices around the County would follow suit and fly the flag also. It would make a strong statement that Wicklow stands for equality, something I as a republican strive for and the reason why Sinn Féin are calling for a yes vote in the marriage equality referendum.” Ends

Wicklow County Councillors censor discussion on threat to Roundwood Health Center

Sinn Féin County Councillor and General Election candidate John Brady has expressed dismay at his fellow Councillors on Wicklow council who voted to censor any discussion or debate on the threat to the Health Center in Roundwood which is potentially facing closure by the HSE. Brady raised the issue at Mondays County Council meeting and stated that he had been contacted by members of staff who have informed him of their redeployment and the closure of the essential service in Roundwood.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Brady said "At Mondays council meeting i raised serious concerns about the future of the Health Center in Roundwood. I have been contacted by members of staff from the facility who have informed me that from the end of April all the nurses that cover Roundwood, Barndarrig, Rathnew, Ashford and Wicklow Town will be based in the new HSE primary health care center on the Port access road in Wicklow and that the facility in Roundwood will close. Unfortunately a decision was taken by the majority of Councillors to censor any discussion on the issue and stick their heads in the sand."

Brady continued "The facility which has provided a critical service to the entire population of Roundwood and surrounding areas for many years. The closure of the facility would mean that people would need to travel to the primary health center on the Port Access road in Wicklow Town.This is made very difficult due to the lack of public transport and the distance from Roundwood."

"A number of Councillors spoke to say that senior management in HSE have said there is no threat to the Health Center, but there is a review of the services underway and any discussion at council level would be pointless. I think those Councillors are naive and probably have little experience of the dealings of the HSE. I have unfortunately many years experience of dealing with the HSE and how they operate. They try impose changes or cuts to services without consultation and by keeping people in the dark. If their plans are rumbled they say their is a review ongoing. This is the same language they used with Wicklow District Hospital, the A&E in Loughlinstown and the Orchard Welfare Home in Bray. All ultimately closed."

Cllr Brady concluded "I would sooner listen to the word of the nurses who have been told that they are being redeployed at the end of the month, rather than the management who are trying to buy time for themselves and stop any public backlash. By sticking their heads in the sand and censoring discussion on the issue at council level the Wicklow Councillors are effectively facilitating the HSE in its attempt to close the center in Roundwood. Sinn Féin nor i will not sit back and allow this to happen and we intend on fighting any attempt to close the facility in Roundwood."

Wicklow County Council supports Sinn Féin motion calling for action to halt family home repossessions

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillors had an emergency motion dealing with house repossessions by the banks passed at Monday’s meeting of Wicklow County Council. The motion was tabled in light of the growing number of house repossession cases before the court service in Wicklow and the alarming number of evictions.

Proposing the motion Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry O'Neill said “There are an alarming number of cases before the courts in Wicklow for house repossessions. Recently the banks had over 80 cases listed on the same day. I know many people who are in danger of being made homeless or who have had their homes repossessed by the banks. The motion i proposed condemns the banks and calls on the Government to immediately intervene and bring forward legislation to protect the family home.”

Cllr John Brady who seconded the motion continued “Unfortunately Fine Gael and Labour through the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2013 have facilitated the repossession of family homes by lenders. Over 30,034 letters relating to repossessions and the voluntary surrender of homes, including family homes were issued last year by the main financial lenders. In Wicklow alone there are currently 255 active bills for repossession lodged by banks, of which over 80 were listed recently in the courts in the County.”

Brady continued “Recently the Central Bank provided a county-by-county breakdown of mortgage arrears figures. The average level of mortgage distress nationally, measured by mortgage accounts in arrears of 90 days or more, is 11.2%. In Wicklow its estimated there are over 11,500 mortgages in arrears and slightly ahead of the nationally average. This means one mortgage in six in Wicklow is in arrears. Many of these are unsustainable as currently configured. That is the stark reality, yet banks, Ministers and Government bury their head in the sand and pretend the type of low-paid precarious jobs they have been creating will solve the problem. It won’t. The lack of leadership on this issue is astounding.”

“It is painfully obvious that this government has not done enough to help those struggling with arrears. MABS and other support agencies are inundated with calls and many, many families continue to suffer in silence. Sinn Féin, amongst others, have consistently called for an independent body with the power to enforce legally binding judgements on banks and on mortgage holders. The fact that banks continue to have a veto is simply unacceptable, as is their willingness to revert to threats of repossession.”

Cllr Brady went onto say “The Irish people bailed out the banks to the tune of €64billion, the government has now given the same banks the effective go-ahead to evict families from their homes. This is a false economy as when made homeless those families will have to turn to the State for housing assistance.”

Cllr O'Neill concluded “I’m delighted the Sinn Féin motion which calls for immediate action from the government was supported by the council. We have a serious homelessness problem in Wicklow and we certainly don’t need people being evicted from their homes by the banks adding to it. The government need to put immediate measures in place to tackle the crisis.”

Wicklow Sinn Féin announce details of their Easter 1916 Commemorations

Wicklow Sinn Féin announce details of their Easter 1916 Commemorations.

Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has announced the County Wicklow Easter commemoration will assemble at bray town hall on Easter Monday 6th April at 12pm. It will be lead by the rising phoenix republican flute band to bray Daly station and then to St. Peters cemetery in little bray. There will also be a number of wreath laying ceremonies across the county.

Giving details of the commemorations Sinn Féin Councillor and general election candidate John Brady said "This year marks the 99th anniversary of the 1916 rising. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising it is important more so than ever to honour the sacrifices Irish men and women made for the limited freedoms we enjoy today. However it is not just enough to remember them, it’s important that we rededicate ourselves to the Republic which was declared on the steps of the GPO on Easter Monday morning 1916.”

Cllr Brady continued “The commemoration will be lead by the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band and will proceed to Bray Daly station and a wreath will be laid in memory of Edward Daly after whom the train station was renamed in 1966 for the 50th anniversary of the Rising. Daly's battalion, stationed in the Four Courts and areas to the west and north of the centre of Dublin, saw the most intense fighting of the rising. He surrendered his battalion on 29 April. He was executed by firing squad on 4 May 1916, at the age of 25. We will then march to St. Peters Cemetery in Little Bray and wreaths will be laid on the graves of volunteers who fought in 1916 and the struggle for Irish Independence.”

“The main oration will be given by Fermanagh Republican Sean Lynch MLA. In April 1986 Lynch was seriously wounded and fellow Republican Séamus McElwaine was shot dead when the SAS opened fire on them. He was subsequently elected as an MLA in 2011.”

Cllr Brady concluded "Easter is an important time for Irish Republicans and we would ask that as many people as possible join the Wicklow Sinn Féin County Easter Commemoration. There will be wreath laying ceremonies over the course of the weekend in Kilcoole, Baltinglass, Carnew, Arklow, Tinahely, Knockananna and Wicklow Town. We would also ask that people would wear an Easter lily as a token of remembrance to all those who died for Irish freedom.”

Brady Welcomes refurbishment of Ballywaltrim Playground

The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray, John Brady has welcomed the commencement of refurbishment and upgrade works on the playground in Ballywaltrim, Bray.

Speaking after visiting the site Councillor Bray said "After a lengthy campaign the work on refurbishing and upgrading the playground in Ballywaltrim has finally commenced. The work is due to take up to three weeks to complete at a cost of over €110,000. The equipment in the playground will be added to with top of the range new equipment which will cater for children up to 15 years old as well as children with disabilities. This is a huge investment in the Ballywaltrim area and when completed we will have a brilliant top quality playground which will be a great asset to the entire community".

Cllr Brady went onto say "I want to commend the members of the Ballywaltrim Playground committee, Stephen Fox from the council and other members of the public for keeping the pressure on the council to ensure this badly needed upgrade happened. I have been consistently pushing for an upgrade and I'm delighted that it's finally happening after a long campaign".

"A number of safety and security issues will also be addressed in conjunction with the work on replacing the equipment, this includes the installation of badly needed public lighting in the playground. Once the work is completed it will be great community asset in the Ballywaltrim area. The children of the area have been consulted about the type of equipment to be installed,so I know they will be eagerly awaiting the completion of the work" concluded Brady.

Brady urges the public to make submissions to the council on provision of a Full Time Fire Service

Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has urged members of the public and any anyone who wants a Full Time Fire Service in North Wicklow to make submissions on a report that has been drafted on the issue. The report is currently on public display and submissions need to be returned to the council before March 28th.

Councillor Brady said "The report on the provision of a Full Time Fire Service for Bray and North Wicklow was prepared by Mr. Aidan Dempsey, Wicklow Chief Fire Officer, and presented to the council in December. The report is currently on public display in the offices of Bray and Greystones Municipal District Councils and in Bray and Greystones Libraries. The closing date for submissions is Friday 28th March and I urge as many people as possible to look at the report and make submissions. The report can also be found on the County Council website, www.wicklow.ie".

Brady who has campaigned for a Full Time Fire Service continued "The report outlines issues relating to the provision of a Full-time fire service in Bray and North Wicklow. I have always believed there is a need for a Full-time service in Bray and that is backed up by the unfortunate number of fatalities the community of a Bray has experienced due to fires, many of which I believe could have been saved if we had a Full- time service. A lack of funding has always been one of the biggest issues in implementing this service".

Cllr Brady continued "Unfortunately the report is in my opinion a flawed one as it didn't take into account all the risks within the town and therefore given a risk designation which is lower than it should be. The large number of nursing homes located within Bray appears to have been overlooked as a risk. The report also failed to take into account the planned expansion of the town with the development of up to 7500 housing units proposed on the Old Fassaroe lands and planning granted for 1200 units on the Old Bray Golf Club lands. The increase in population would greatly increase the risks within the town and the report is not future proofed. If these factors were included it would strengthen the case for funding from the Government".

"It's important that as any people as possible read this report and make submissions on it to the council before the 28th March. These submissions will help shape the report, but more importantly will help shape the response to it from both the elected councillors and government". Ends