DRAFT BYE-LAWS which if adopted by Sligo Borough Council would make it illegal for a person or organisation to use a loudspeaker or loudhailer at any public meeting or demonstration, without the written permission of the County Manager or one of his officials, have been described as draconian by Cllr Declan Bree
“The draft bye laws are draconian and totally unacceptable and should be withdrawn by the County Manager.” said Cllr Bree.
“During my many years as an elected representative of the people of this community I have never heard of anyone requesting the Council to introduce such bye laws.
“Over the decades loudspeakers and loud hailers have been used for public meetings, protests, demonstrations, marches, rallies, peace vigils, cancer campaign demonstrations and so on. In our capital city there are protests and marches every week and there is no requirement to have a permit for loudspeakers and loudhailers.
“Now in Sligo we have these draft bye laws which if adopted would make it illegal for a person or organisation to use a loudspeaker at any public meeting or demonstration, without the written permission of the County Manager or one of his officials.
“Under the proposed Bye Laws a person who does not have written permission can be removed from the street by the Gardai and the loudspeaker can be confiscated. The person will also be fined.
“These bye laws are coercive and would not be accepted anywhere else in this country.
“Why in the name of goodness should those involved in political, trade union, community or anti austerity campaigns have to seek the permission from an unelected council official to use a loudspeaker at meetings or marches.
“In any democratic society those who engage in political activity must have the right to organise events and use amplification for their events.
“It is totally unacceptable that an unelected official would have the power to deny permission to political organisations, trade unions or any other community group the right to use loudspeakers at their events.” said Cllr Bree.