An unholy row has broken out between the Catholic Church and the
organisers of one of the biggest international sporting events staged in
the city.
The International Ironman Triathlon will take place in Galway
in September, when over 2,500 athletes from 30 countries participate in
a competition, which will have a global television audience.
It is anticipated that another 5,000 people will accompany the
elite athletes, while thousands of spectators are expected to line the
route for an event that is estimated to be worth about €5 million to the
local economy.
But the Catholic Church has objected to the closure of
roads for the event, which, they say, will prevent many elderly people
being able to attend Mass.
It is expected that roads will be closed for around five days for the
event, which takes place on Sunday 4 September.
Churches in the
Salthill and surrounding areas have been informed by the Diocesan
Secretary, Fr Martin Whelan, that the proposed road closures were going
ahead despite their objections to the local authorities.
The biggest impact will be in Salthill but the Claddagh and outlining
areas, such as Barna and Moycullen, will also have road closures.
In a
letter to parishioners at the weekend, Saltill Parish Priest Fr Gerry
Jennings said that, unless people were able to walk half a mile, they
would not be able to use Salthill Church for Mass on Sunday, 4 September
between 7am and 5pm.
“I have contacted the city council objecting to the level of
disruption and have spoken to the local Ironman organiser asking for a
review or compromise and have been rebuffed. There would be no
consultation or compromise. Those parishioners, who through infirmity
or old age, normally need transport to come to Mass will be unable to
come to Mass in Salthill on that Sunday,” said Fr Jennings.
He said that the churches in Barna and the Claddagh would also be
affected and that the efforts by the Diocesan Office, on behalf of the
Bishop of Galway Martin Drennan, also fell on deaf ears.
“For the first
time in over 70 years, vehicular access to the church is denied by the
civic authorities. The holding of a major sporting event on a Sunday
morning, the net effect of which is to deny infirm and elderly people
the right to worship, is a major departure for our country. The disruption to the lives of the locals on 4 September next will
be major. It's a different Ireland,” added Fr Jennings.
Galway City
Council confirmed that it has received submissions from the church
authorities.
“Events like this do cause disruption, but we try to keep
it to a minimum. We have given a preliminary response to some of the
churches and priests and we will be in contact to try to ensure the
disruption on the day is minimised,” said the Galway City Council
spokesperson.