Mayo councillors blow their tops over unsuitable 'Big Top' location

Castlebar councillors say there are sick of the clowning around in relation to an unsuitable circus location.

Councillors and residents are unhappy that the circus is once again returning to a site on the Milebush Road.

“I didn’t think we’d be revisiting this again. We have highlighted it so many times and I know they are exempt from planning but they having a circus out on the Milbebush Road on the most unsuitable site ever in a town,” said Cllr Deere.

He said residents have been left upset by move. “It’s totally unsuitable.” Cllr Deere said a more suitable site needs to be identified.

“Nobody wants to stop the circus. It’s tradition and that’s why it’s exempt from planning but we have to stop the circus going out there. 

"We have to try and accommodate the circus providers that are coming to town to try and find a suitable site. We know the barracks is out of the question now,” he commented.

Cllr Deere said there should be an onus on the circus operators to contact the council before announcing their dates.

He expressed concerns about “safety and animal welfare” at the current location of the circus.

“It’s a crying shame that we have come to this situation again. The residents are not happy and I don’t blame them,” said Cllr Deere.

He said parking is a huge problem at the privately-owned site. Cllr Deere said the council needs to look at the options available to it.