Save Our Community Cow Parks

by Deirdre Clancy - personal capacity Tue Nov 21, 2006 19:04

Thanks for this informative piece. Rural labourers are such a neglected element of Irish society, both in terms of what our mainstream historians focus on (they have been incredibly important to the Irish economy in previous centuries, and very exploited), and what our politicians focus on. It's sad, but no surprise, that they are now another victim of the current property greed that becoming normalised, and even de rigeur, in Ireland now. I very sincerely hope you win this battle; keep up the good work.

by Cowpoke Tue Nov 21, 2006 19:05

Put yourself in the shoes of the council or a rich farmer for just a moment?
Which is makes more sense to you?

The council could sell of land to developers for hundreds of millions of euro, providing employment for building workers, more housing on the market for thousands of families or perhaps new space to build a shopping centre or other business premises which will provide jobs and services to people in the area.

OR

Merely rent the land out for for grazing cattle to support only a few families?

Now I certainly have sympathy for landless labourers and their need for grazing areas for their cattle but I cannot ignore the logic of the market.

King Canute could not command the sea to obey him.

by Anne Tue Nov 21, 2006 19:25

So why should we bother at all?, cowpoke. Sure Shell are big and it makes sense to them, so to Hell with the peoples' campaign in Rossport! A ridiculous suggestion and a recipe for inertia if ever I heard one. Just because the motives and actions of our oppressors make sense to THEM does not mean we should capitulate. Sure the Councils throughout Ireland could sell off their entire housing stock and turf the tenants out on the streets. Why not, the houses are only occupied by one family who don't pay a whole lot. Selling of their profitable homes to the Celtic pups makes much more sense.

by jimmy - none Tue Nov 21, 2006 21:48

I heard about this yesterday on the Derek Mooney show, I thought it was a wind up first but it is actually a fantastic concept to help the less well off in our society to help themselves. A gentleman on the programme said it was in his family for a number of generations, it is now a tradition and we should honour and preserve traditions because we are too quick to scotch them and we are fast losing our identity and uniqueness as a nation. The same case could be made against commonage on mountains in order to provide walks and hiking routes to promote tourism and where would it end. The Department of Environment should be increasing funding to local authorities to provide much needed services instead of forcing Councils to sell off lands like this. I this years book of estimates it is proposed to increase funding to Local Authorities by only 2% which is effectively going backwards.

by cowpoke Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:46

"we are fast losing our identity and uniqueness as a nation"

I don't feel a loss of identity at all. I was born and brought up in Ireland. I am Irish and an Irish citizen.
My mother is Italian and my father is from Sri Lanka but I am Irish.
I love playing hurling for my local team and am a loyal follower of the Rebels!

by Dinny Fahey Tue Nov 28, 2006 01:20

Yes, cowpoke, and your attitude towards the cowpark users demonstrates your native Irish spirit.

by Mags - Westmeath Cowpark Users Group Tue Nov 28, 2006 13:11 0877542896

Last night Westmeath Cowpark Users Group hosted a public forum in Mullingar on the issue of cow parks. The County Manager and all County Councillors (22 of them) were invited. The only ones who attended were Dan McCarthy (Labour) and Robert Troy (FF). Frank McDermott (FG) arrived after the meeting had ended. Also in attendance was Green Party town councillor Betty Doran.

Chairperson Mags Glennon outlined the background to the WCUG campaign and the long history of radical land agitation by small farmers and farm labourers in Westmeath, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the 'Cattle Driving' campaign of 1906 when tenants fought for their right to land held by big landlords and graziers. She gave the opinion that the way farming is going in the 21st century there will be no small farmers any more, only those owning 200 or more acres.

Ms Glennon gave a report on a meeting last week between a campaign delegation where Mr McLoughlin referred to the existence of cowparks and their tenants as 'a throwback' and 'unviable' as well as being totally dismissive and ignorant towards the campaign and it's concerns. His position was that he would sell the cowparks and there was nothing WCUG could do about it.

Pat Glennon outlined the progress of the campaign so far, in terms of national and local radio coverage, letters and articles in the press. He also gave details of support messages received from small farmers, commonage users and cowpark groups in Meath, Mayo and Limerick. He also reported that the campaign had collected several hundred signatures in the past week and that no one asked had refused to sign in support of the campaign once the issue was explained.

Johnny Creagh proposed that the County Councillors agree to suspend the sale of cow parks currently on the markets while legal issues were investigated. All bar Ms Doran were very dismissive of this compromise.

A large number of speakers spoke from the floor, mainly strongly criticising the undemocratic nature of the Council decision making processes.

The meeting resolved to:
a) Continue with the ongoing legal investigations/action regarding the rights of tenants due to the length of tenure on the land.
b) Continue the public campaign, petitions and publicity work.
c) To picket the next meeting of Westmeath County Council, believed to be on 18th December in Moate. Details to be checked.
d) To picket the sales of Hanstown and Printinstown Cow Parks, auctions advertised for 20th and 21st December in Mullingar.

WCUG is currently in discussion with the TV programme 'Ear To The Ground' and is hopeful that it will film some coverage of the campaign in the near future.

by Jacqueline Fallon Wed Nov 29, 2006 13:30

Westmeath County Council claims the cow-parks are no longer needed, then why an earth do they have tenants paying rent for them then? Surely, if they have tenants for the cow-parks they are needed. Also, tenants have rights and they should have been the first to have been notified and meetings arranged with them. It is very wrong that they never consulted the tenants who give over their hard earned money to the Council in order to rent the cow-parks - it is supreme arrogance!

It would be very interesting to see what the County Council's future plans are for these cow-parks (if they carry on regardless, ignoring the tenants); will the cow parks be sold on the open market to the highest bidder (probably going to a property developer or a rich farmer); or will they be given back to the community and converted into green space for sports and recreation and a community centre (I hope so, but I'm not that optimistic - no proft to be had from that, and, sure, that's why they are getting rid of the cow-parks in the first place).

I grew up in a small rural village with very few houses and the majority there had small farm holdings, but that is not the case now. Most of the small farm holdings have been sold and purchased by property developers who have built numerous housing estates with absolutely no green space, it is a ridiculous sight, it's obvious to anyone that has eyes that they squashed in so many houses that people are practically living on top of one another and, as a result, people are constantly moving in and out of the area due to the consequences of improper planning. None of the housing estates have a children’s playground or any green area whatsoever, as a result children play on the street. The County Councils around the country need to wake-up and see the problems they are creating by their actions or inactions. The epidemic of concrete jungles that are growing around the country may be a show of prosperity on the surface, but dig deeper and it's apparent the problems that improper planning and facilities creates - resulting in an impoverished community environment for all.

I wish you the very best of luck with your cow park campaign and I hope you are seeking the best legal advice on this matter.

Ádh mór oraibh!

by Mags - WCUG Sun Dec 03, 2006 14:52

I agree with what you say, every wee village within shouting distance of Dublin has tacky wee new estates with madly overpriced houses and no addition in employment, education, child care or other facilities.

As things stand now the Council are going to sell the cowpark lands to the highest bidders, developers or big farmers. The money gained from the sale will be doled out to favoured sports or other bodies. 5 million euro is a useful fund to have at hand in an election year.

by Jacqueline Fallon Sun Dec 03, 2006 23:58

Mags, many thanks for your reply and keeping us all up-to-date on the Westmeath Cowpark Users Group’s campaign.

I am disgusted that so few Councillors, 4 out of a total of 22 (with one turning up at the end - speaks volumes!), attended the Westmeath Cowpark Users Group’s public meeting - it clearly displays the Council’s blatant disregard and arrogant approach to the cow-park tenants. The fact that the tenants were never consulted or meetings organised to inform them of the Council’s plans for the cow-parks, and the fact that no efforts were made to accommodate the tenants or compensatory measures put in place is an absolute disgrace. No doubt if it was a meeting held by rich farmers in the community or corporate interests all 22 would have been in attendance, these people are so predictable.

I wish you the very best with your campaign and will watch with interest to see what plans Westmeath County Council have for the 20 cow-parks, which are clearly needed by the tenants, who now find themselves landless. I see the eradication of the cow-parks in this country as a bad omen and have grave concerns for the future of small farm holdings in this country, people will have to stand-up and be counted.

I would like to leave you with a quote from: Mr. Brendan Smith, 'Minister of State' in the Department of Agriculture & Food, in reply to a debate on the Land Bill, 2004, dated 1 July 2005:

“... it was never the intention that cowparks that were no longer being used for their intended purpose, and were transferred to County Councils, should be sold off by Councils to the highest bidder. "To clarify the position in future, before a cowpark is transferred to a County Council a specific commitment will be obtained from that Council that the land will be used for sporting, recreational or other purposes for the benefit of the local community and will not be sold on to generate income for the Council."

No doubt you’ve heard the above before.

Chuig: WCUG - Bail Ó Dhia ar an obair!

by Mags Tue Dec 05, 2006 14:10

Thanks again :) Had not seen that quote. Just ploughing through a lot of legal documents so will check through Dail archives for that one.

by Jacqueline Fallon Tue Dec 05, 2006 20:47

Just to save you a bit of hassle, that quote from Mr. Brendan Smith, “Minister of State” at the Department of Agriculture, is on the Department of Agriculture & Food's web site. Just type in 'cowparks' in the search engine and go to the first document 1. 'untitled document' (don't know why it is untitled!) and you'll find it there www.agriculture.gov.ie. Perhaps, a letter enclosing same to him might be in order.

Also, check out the Oireachtas web site for all debates on cowparks and you'll find out who is sympathetic and who is not - then target them all!

Some of these Dáil debates on land matters make shocking reading, a particular nasty one I came across recently was one where they were debating ways of confiscating land from elderly farmers - some cold fish suggested targeting elderly farmers who had no friends or family (sweet Jesus how low can you go!) in order to get his/her land (although that debate was not connected in any way with the cowparks), you might be shocked at some of the comments made by members of Leinster House, but then, again, if you are like me, perhaps, you would not!

All the very best Mags to you and all in the Westmeath Cowpark Users Group.

Slán agus beannacht Dé ort.

by Mags - WCUG Sun Dec 10, 2006 19:59

Anyone who can participate in these will be very welcome.

Westmeath Cowpark Users Group has been campaigning against the policy of Westmeath Co Council to sell off the cowparks of the county. This will deprive small farmers of their traditional grazing and the whole community of publicly owned land. We want the cowparks to remain in public ownership and the rental income to be invested in community and youth facilities in our areas. The County Council have totally dismissed our reasonable suggestions.

WCUG will be holding the following events in the coming weeks:

[b]Protest at Meeting of Westmeath County Council[/b]
Monday 18th December - 2.30pm - Dun Na Si Heritage Centre, Moate

[b]Picket on Auction sale of Hanstown Cowpark[/b]
Wednesday 20th December - 2.30pm - Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar

[b]Picket on Auction sale of Printinstown Cowpark[/b]
Thursday 21st December - 2.30pm - Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar

We are appealing to all sectors of the community to support our protests, it is YOUR land which is being sold off to the highest bidder!

More Information from Pat at 087 7542896

by Mags Sun Dec 17, 2006 21:25

Westmeath Cowpark Users Group

COWPARK GROUP PICKETS COUNCIL OVER PUBLIC LAND SALE

Members of the Westmeath Cowpark Users Group (WCUG) are picketing the December meeting of Westmeath County Council at the Dun Na Si centre in Moate, Co. Westmeath on Monday 18th December.

The group is campaigning against the sell off of publicly owned ‘cow park’ land in the County. WCUG claims that proceeds from the rent of cow parks, or the sale of sites on them, should be channelled back into local community and youth resources. The Co Council has rejected all suggestions from the group and the County Manager stormed out of a meeting with a WCUG delegation. To curry public favour Westmeath Co Council has suddenly announced the building of a new private 12million sports centre and claims that the money from cow park sales will fund this.

WCUG member Anita Mason – a tenant on Hanstown Cowpark, which is due to be auctioned this week – said ‘The Council is determined to sell off the cow park farms to the highest bidder, which will be big farmers or speculators. The current tenants are small holders farming the land communally, we cannot afford to compete with these bidders’.

Two cow parks are due to be sold by auction this week, those at Hanstown in Ballinea and Printinstown in Delvin. WCUG has also planned pickets for the auctions at the Greville Arms in Mullingar on Wednesday and Thursday.

The WCUG campaign has the support of the Green Party and Sinn Fein in Westmeath.

WCUG Chairperson Pat Glennon said ‘We are here today to appeal to Westmeath County Councillors to at least suspend the sale of the two farms up for sale this week. Tenants will have no grazing for their stock for the Christmas period. We believe that the Council can and should come to a reasonable solution with the tenants, rather than selling off the lands to the highest bidder and driving small landless farmers out of agriculture for good’.

Save Our Community Cow Parks!

[ENDS]

Journalists and Photographers are welcome at the pickets:
Monday 18th December 3pm Dun Na Si Heritage Centre, Moate
Wednesday 20th December 3pm Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar
Thursday 21st December 3pm Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar

More Information:
Pat Glennon Ph. 087 754 2896
Anita Mason Ph. 087 908 1220

by Matt Wed Dec 20, 2006 16:43

It is a sad and pathetic state of affairs that this country is in the grip of a privatising rump of greasy till scumbags. Won't be able to make pickets this time but will try in future. It is important that these gombeens are stopped - and that their every move is monitored. Fair play to Mags for all the work.

by Mags - again! - WCUG Thu Dec 21, 2006 18:22

There have been a couple of developments in recent days. Mad busy here but I will type up a wee report soon and post it here. Thanks to all for the messages of support.

by NIFC - National Irish Freedom Committee Tue Dec 26, 2006 19:02 nifcmem at optonline dot net

NIFC Free Forum Video Discussion Series, Segment 4

Discussion with Mags Glennon of the WCUG

The NIFC talks to Mags Glennon, chairperson for the Westmeath Cowpark Users Group who are campaigning to retain the use of community owned land used by landless farmers who pay fees to graze their cattle on these lands. Recently the Westmeath county council -by way of the Department of Agriculture - in Dublin, have decided to sell off the cowparks without warning to the highest bidder; showing little regard for the members of the community who depend on the use of the land for their livestock.

The National Irish Freedom Committee has produced the fourth segment of the Free Forum Video Discussion Series. This segment covers the ongoing dispute between the Westmeath County Council and the Cowpark Users Group (WCUG) over the unjust sale of the publicly owned Cowpark community farms.

The chairperson of the WCUG, Mags Glennon joined the show via telephone from Ireland. She provides viewers with a detailed description of the ongoing fight to retain the Cowpark community farms.

The host of the series, Brian Wardlow and Pat Williams of the NIFC focused on how this situation, and similar issues could be better served under Eire Nua, the devolved system of government promoted by the NIFC as a replacement for the two existing partitionist states in Ireland.

To view segment please click on link below.

To get involved please send in questions, comments and topic ideas to freeforum@irishfreedom.net Thank you.

http://www.irishfreedom.net/Videos/FF%20Video%20Segment...4.wmv

by Digger Tue Dec 26, 2006 19:17

'The law locks up the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the Common,
But lets the greater felon loose
Who steals the Common from the goose'.

by Mags Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:53

The Westmeath Cowpark Users Group will be taking part in the St Patrick's Day Parades in Mullingar and Delvin - both in Co Westmeath - to highlight our ongoing campaign against the sale of publicly owned community farms.

All supporters are welcome to come along and join us. Look out for a big colourful cow and a small person dressed as a cow. Leaflets and gifts for the kiddies will be distributed and awareness raised about the campaign.

The Mullingar Parade starts at 3.30pm on Saturday.
The Delvin Parade starts at 3.30pm on Sunday.

The County Council are the ones responsible for selling the land - the council bigwigs should not be allowed to bask in glow of a family entertainment day and use it to reflect credit on themselves. SAVE OUR COMMUNITY COWPARKS!

More information from 087 7542896.