EDITORIAL
By Allen Meagher, editor 'Changing Ireland'
The public generally understands two things about local authorities. On
the one hand, the elected representatives deserve more power - too much rests
with officials. The second commonly held view is that local authorities are
sometimes responsible for the problems they’re trying to solve.
They struggle to connect with ‘hard-to-reach’ citizens.
Recently, in Moyross, we had 30 balaclava-clad young people riding
around on horseback firing stones at public buildings after dozens of horses
were taken by the pound on orders from the local authority. More restrained
horse-owners protested outside council offices. Neither the crude and dangerous
protest nor the dignified one sought jobs or training, just social inclusion
and an end to persecution. However, all four could be delivered together if
those holding the reins of power put their thinking caps on.
