Appeal to shut down 'disgraceful' toilets on Mayo pilgrimage site
AN appeal has been issued to Mayo County Council to close down the public toilets located on Croagh Patrick 'to save the county from ongoing embarrassment'.
The plea is made by local elected representative, Councillor Christy Hyland, following fresh complaints over the dire condition of the facility on the shoulder of the Reek.
Pilgrims who had reason to use them over the holiday weekend were shocked by the filthy state in which they are left, rendering them completely unfit for purpose.
The men's toilet is in a particularly terrible condition with excrement on the floor, forcing people to walk away in disgust.
Councillor Hyland said the problem is going on for years and no other international pilgrimage site is treated with such contempt.
He elaborated: "We are now at a situation where over €1 million is being invested on a new pilgrim path, which is a truly remarkable piece of work and will help reverse many decades of erosion on the mountain.
"Yet, pilgrims stepping off the new path wishing to pay a penny, so to speak, are faced with a wholly unacceptable situation.
"As far as I can ascertain, Mayo County Council is not facing up to its responsibilities as far as the toilets are concerned and that's a shocking indictment, in my view.
"So I believe the best course of action is to close them down and erect signs at the base of the mountain informing pilgrims in advance. Sadly, the public toilets at the car park are in no great condition, either, and need urgent upgrading.
"I am saddened by the fact that so many people are leaving Croagh Patrick on a weekly basis with such a bad impression of the place because the issue of the toilets is not being addressed despite it being consistently highlighted.
"It's a black mark on a busy tourist area."
Councillor Hyland said he intends to raise the matter at the next meeting of Mayo County Council to ensure immediate action is initiated to shut down the toilets on the shoulder of the Reek and demolish them once and for all.