'I will not be giving up' says Cllr McIlroy

Vice-Chairperson of Moyle Council, DUP representative Robert McIlroy, told the Times he will continue in his role to fight for the interests of people in his area and to attempt to influence decisions.

“I was frustrated at the Council decision regarding Woodvale Toilets last week but I will still be fighting the corner of people in the Causeway area.

“I will be in there battling to make sure the ratepayers of Bushmills get what they deserve from the Council and also be in there to lobby on behalf of local people,” said Councillor McIlroy.

The councillor made the original ‘give up’ comments at a stormy meeting of Moyle Council when a majority of councillors decided to sell Woodvale Toilets in Bushmills despite pleas from councillors in the Causeway area to hold onto it to see if the community want to include it in a community audit.

Councillor McIlroy said there is much debate in the community about the situation and it is set to be discussed at a meeting of Bushmills Community Association tonight (Tuesday) and at community ‘workshops’ later this week.

The councillor said a question many in Bushmills had was how could the Council not allow Woodvale Toilets to be retained for community use while that had happened on Rathlin.

He said there is a strong feeling in Bushmills that the area is not being treated fairly.

“Where is the equality?”, he asked.

Cllr McIlroy said people in the community have been contacting him with potential ideas for the Woodvale building including opening it as a place where motorhomes could pull in nearby to use washing facilities, etc.

Meanwhile, Glens Sinn Fein Councillor Paudie Mc Shane denied there is discrimination against Bushmills and said councillors need to be aware the words they use can have implications for community relations.

Councillor McShane, in a statement to the Times, said: "We have listened, on several occasions, to some councillors from the Causeway Ward take exception to decisions made by Moyle District Council.

“While this is wholly acceptable in the cut and thrust of local politics, what is not acceptable is the inclination to then portray the decision as somewhat biased against the Causeway Ward ratepayers.

"In the last number of years Moyle District Council has strived to improve infrastructure in the District for the ratepayer and visitor alike. The Causeway Ward has benefited considerably with a number of projects recently.

“The following are just some of these projects:-

* Purpose built Community Centre

* Bushmills Town Heritage Initiative

* First new play park under new policy (at Community Centre)

* Play Area at Dundarave adopted from Hosing Executive

* Moyle's only Millennium project 2000. (Riverside Park)

* Dundarave Soccer pitch upgraded to top of the range sand based pitch.

* Kick-about area developed at Woodvale

* Coach stop-off point adjacent to Hamill Terrace

* Coach and car park developed at Dundarave.

* New toilet block developed at Dundarave

* New footbridge established over the River Bush

* Gunagh Picnic site and lay-by developed

* Upgrade of tram pathway from Ardihannan to Sand Rodden

* Bushmills Library purchased with a view to developing a tourist information centre.

"At this year's striking of the rates, it is important that Moyle District Council conceive a budget which can derive the greatest positive impact for the people of Moyle no matter the geographical location.

"Councillors must begin to realise the important role they play within the community.They must also realise that their words can have far reaching consequences for community relations.

“They have an important civic role to play in this new dispensation and must strive to move the whole community in Moyle forward into a new era, free from the failed inequalities witnessed in other Councils," said Cllr McShane.