Suspend parking charges at Croagh Patrick if toilets aren't upgraded - councillor

PARKING charges at the foot of Croagh Patrick should be suspended unless action is taken to address the condition of toilet facilities at the mountain.

That was the suggestion of a local councillor during a discussion on the toilets at the car park and on the mountain itself, which were described as being past their sell by date by about two decades at a municipal district meeting.

The ones on the shoulder of the mountain are particularly embarrassing, said Councillor Peter Flynn, who has requested that Mayo County Council advance a planning application by the end of May and that funding be sought so work can commence this year to upgrade the facilities.

Thousands of visitors come to the mountain every year and for ladies especially, the facilities were awful to encounter, he said.

Murrisk, he pointed out, is the only car park in the county outside of the towns where charges apply. It brings in €40,000 each year, which meant an upgrade project would be self-financing.

He was asking that the works be progressed and if not, he will be looking to suspend parking charges in Murrisk next year.

Supporting his colleague, Councillor Christy Hyland said the toilets in the car park are gone past their sell by date by about 20 years.

They were the worst toilets in the country for a national pilgrimage site, he said, describing them as a 'disgrace'.

They should have been dealt with a long time ago.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy agreed charges should be suspended if nothing is done.

The situation wasn't good enough in this day and age.