RESIDENTS protesting against proposals to build homes in Lahinch and Kilkee, Co Clare, packed the courthouse in Ennis yesterday as the county council discussed the plans.
They carried placards outside the building as councillors arrived.
Later, in the chamber, there were angry scenes and the acting chairman, Mr P.J. Kelly, adjourned the meeting for 10 minutes after two councillors noisily challenged a decision of the chair. Mr Kelly pointed out that no decision could be taken unless 24 members out of the 31 on the council were present.
When the meeting resumed th9 chairman apologised to the visitors and councillors for the scenes.
He then allowed discussion in the hope that the minimum number of councillors required might be present for a vote.
A proposal on behalf of Robinbury Ltd, a Dublin-registered company of which Mr Brian Cusack and Mr Jack Kinnerk are directors, to build 46 houses near the Pollock Holes at Kilkee, was deferred. This was to give the objectors an opportunity to discuss the plan with Mr Ciaran Lynch, the Chief Planning Officer.
A proposal on behalf of McInerney Construction Ltd, Limerick, to build 45 houses at Cregg, Lahinch, fell when it failed to get a seconder.
A member of the Lahinch Protest Committee expressed disappointment. He said the proposal would have been defeated if there had been a full attendance.
Minutes later, however, there were 25 members in the chamber when a proposal on a planning application for the building of a dwelling house was carried without objection.
Mr William Moloney, County Manager, said the development at Lahinch constituted a material contravention of the development plans. "As such, I cannot grant permission for it to go ahead without the consent of the County Council," he said.