Concerned citizen writes to Mayo councillors over controversial motion
A concerned Mayo citizen has written to elected representatives in the county expressing her display over a motion submitted for discussion ahead of a special meeting of Mayo County Council next Friday.
The letter, which was also circulated by email to Mayo TDs, was penned yesterday by Mary Duffy, Fallduff, Louisburgh, and it reads as follows:
"Dear councillor,
"It is with great dismay I read today (a day we celebrate and reach out to our diaspora) on The Connaught Telegraph Facebook page of your call for a special meeting next Friday with an item on the agenda that states:
"Having regard to the recent and sudden population increase in towns and villages in Mayo, and in the absence of a clear strategy to ensure the delivery of critical services (medical, policing, education, etc.), that Mayo County Council no longer cooperates with the intake of Ukrainian refugees (BOTP) and international protection asylum seekers (IPAS) into the county until the aforementioned strategy is prepared, resourced and delivered."
"If this meeting proceeds please know that you are in no way representing me, as a constituent of West Mayo electoral area or of the county of Mayo.
"Any of you who support this disgraceful item will never receive a single vote from me in any local election (or other election) again.
"I do not desire "far right" idealism representing me and never will.
"I abhor the idea that refugees fleeing war, famine, poverty and persecution are being used by some members of Mayo County Council for what may be perceived as a means to garner headlines and media attention for their own gain coming up to an election year.
"That any person privileged enough to live in a wealthy country, where education, religious freedom, freedom to express opinions and ideas are taken for granted, would blame refugees for the incapability of our government to manage their resources properly and with some foresight, is just downright disgraceful.
"Many small villages, my own included, benefit from people joining our community.
"Extra pupils keep small schools open and may even allow for a second teacher in some schools that are down to one teacher or threatened with imminent closure due to a lack of sufficient pupils.
"If these refugees are allowed to work, they may keep some of our hotels, restaurants and other service industries open - as we know how difficult many of these industries have found it to find staff after all the Covid lock-downs.
"I know of a number of restaurants who have had no option but to close for two days per week as they have not been able to recruit sufficient staff to remain open throughout the week.
"It is a very sad day in our county if this meeting proceeds.
"How quickly the plight of our county's men and women throughout history is forgotten and the millions of Irish people throughout the centuries that had to flee their nation because of war, poverty, persecution, seeking refuge and a better life abroad - and we don't even have to look back that long ago!!
"I applaud Councillor Mark Duffy in Ballina for standing up and speaking out against this hate filled agenda item.
"I also applaud Councillor Christy Hyland from my own electoral area for speaking up against this item and hope he will continue to take a stand against this abhorrent thought process.
"Hate filled idealism and scaremongering of the far right will NEVER represent me, blaming those most in need for the failings of others is not something I can respect.
"I used to believe I lived in an inclusive nation, welcoming and open - with a population of people with generous and warm hearts. Ireland of the Céad Míle Fáilte is no more and it is sad to see.
"Never have I been more disappointed in my public representatives than I am today and I fear greatly for my county and my country if this is what is perceived as the way forward.
"Yours sincerely, Mary Duffy, Fallduff, Louisburgh."