Fermoy event to go ahead ‘with or without permission’
An event planned for Fermoy Town Park on Sunday, July 25, will be going ahead with or without council permission, according to Kilworth native, Peter O’Donoghue.
Mr O’Donoghue has plans for a peaceful assembly in Fermoy Town Park entitled ‘Freedom in the Park’.
“We will all unite together on one point. That point being that we are all entitled to our own individual freedom and that we are entitled to live our own lives as we see fit as long as it is respectful to others,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
Speaking with The Avondhu this week, Mr O’Donoghue said that there are musicians, mental health professionals and even an Arctic adventurer lined up for the event.
COMPLIANT
The event was raised at this week’s Fermoy Municipal District meeting by Councillor Noel McCarthy, who stated that he had been contacted by a member of the public who was concerned regarding adherence to Covid-19 regulations.
“While we welcome all things in the park and every event that is good for the town, I just want to make sure that they are Covid compliant, that they have permission, and that they will be supervised,” Cllr McCarthy said.
Councillor Deirdre O’Brien also requested an update regarding the event, stating: “I don’t think we know of any event being requested to be run in the park”.
Responding to the queries, Municipal District officer Pauline Moriarty stated that she too had just been informed of the event, stating that she had informed the Gardaí in Fermoy.
“Certainly nobody has consulted the council and they do not have permission as of this moment and time for an event in the square.
“When people want to hold events in public spaces, there are health and safety requirements, insurance requirements and Covid requirements. All of those boxes would have to be ticked before consent would be given for any event,” Ms Moriarty said.
‘GOING AHEAD EITHER WAY’
Following Tuesday’s council meeting, Mr O’Donoghue said: “The event will be going ahead either way. The park is the most logical place to have it, but if the council make a decision to not allow us to hold it in the park, we will have it on the streets”.
According to Mr O’Donogue, he had already informed Gardaí prior to the council having any knowledge of the event and he stated that he had had ‘ no issues’ with Gardaí at the time.
When queried about insurance for the event, Mr O’Donoghue noted, “It’s public property and we have a constitutional right to hold a peaceful assembly, so insurance is null and void”.