'Refundable deposit' plan for Mayo rally to cover road damage rejected

A SUGGESTION that the organisers of the Mayo Stages Rally – held in early March in the north Mayo area this year – should provide a refundable deposit to allay fears over road damage did not meet with much support when put to local councillors.

Ballina Municipal District cathaoirleach, Councillor Seamus Weir lauded the event and highlighted how there were no complaints from locals over the staging of it, mainly in the Ballina, Knockmore and Kilfian areas. The only negativity was a bit of damage on some bends, he added.

Engineer Orla Bourke said the council's senior engineer had suggested that in the future, they may need to secure a deposit from the rally organisers.

“I'm not sure that would go down well,” said Councillor Annie May Reape.

“I agree,” said Councillor Jarlath Munnelly. “It brings a lot to the area. In the grand scheme of things, I would not be in favour of putting a monetary demand on them.”

Councillor Mark Duffy said he would share the sentiment of his colleagues. “We should not impose a penalty on volunteers who bring something here that has not been here for a long time.

“I understand the point that work is needed but the event will be held somewhere every year, and let's make sure it's here.”

Councillor Reape added that if they went down the road of putting an imposition on the organisers, there would be towns all over the area looking to stage the rally instead of Ballina.

Ms. Bourke pointed out that the deposit would be refundable, but Councillor Michael Loftus said he was not aware of the need for such a deposit for other rallies, for example in Galway.

In addition, if they imposed this on the Mayo Stages Rally, they would have to do the same for every festival and every group organising an event.

Councillor John O'Hara agreed that it would be 'very unfair' on an organisation to look for a deposit. “We should be supporting it,” he argued.

Councillor Weir – who indicated that he would support repairs personally with Notice of Motion money, if needed – said he had the pleasure of launching the rally in Great National Hotel Ballina and performing the ceremonial start in the Market Square.

“It's a major event and I don't want to overshadow it with money at all. We'll sort it.”