Talks are ongoing between representatives of St Mary’s Cathedral and Killarney Municipal District Council regarding ways of improving parking facilities in the free of charge car park at lower New Street, located between the church and St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School.
Highlighting difficulties being experienced there, Cllr John O’Donoghue said defined parking spaces need to be painted and clearly outlined to avoid the difficulties that currently exist there.
As it stands, cars are parking properly but, very often, when drivers return to their vehicles, they find they are blocked in by others who have parked carelessly behind them, leaving it very difficult for them to reverse safely.
Problems have also emerged with drivers parking along the entrance and exit channels making it very difficult for others the pass through without running the risk of damaging their vehicles.
Cllr O’Donoghue asked that the council contact the parish office to ensure something is done ahead of the tourist season to help maximise the number of spaces available.
“It is very heavily utilised but spaces are not being utilised as well as they should be,” he said.
Killarney Municipal District Manager, Angela McAllen, said the council is actively pursuing the matter and talks are taking place with the church authorities in order to progress the situation.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, commended the parish for the manner in which it sorted out the major parking problems being encountered within the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral which is adjacent to the free car park.
Numerous drivers were parking there all day while they went to work with others leaving their vehicles on the grounds for hours on end.
As a result, few parking spaces were available for those attending Mass, funerals or weddings and, on one occasion, an ambulance failed to gain access to tend to a person who had fallen ill in inside the church.
When repeated requests were being ignored, the parish locked the vehicular access gates outside of Mass times and drivers had to contact the parish office by a keycode provided to remove their vehicles.
“It’s a pity that they had to do it but people kept abusing the situation by parking in the church grounds. It is now working very well and I commend them for it,” Cllr Kelleher said.
KillarneyToday.com: Everyone reads it – ask anyone. For great value advertising call 087-2229761
