The Church of Ireland rector in north Kerry has issued a statement saying the decision by Tralee town councillors last week to reject a major retail proposal by Marks & Spencer suggests the Ireland of "thundering disgrace and gubu" of 20 years ago.
Canon Robert Warren's strongly-worded newsletter to the Tralee and Dingle union of parishes in the Diocese of Ardfert this week comes amid growing anger in Kerry at the surprise decision by Tralee town councillors to block the €6 million development in the Manor West retail park in Tralee.
The proposal by Marks & Spencer for a 30,000 sq ft outlet employing 100 people had been in the pipeline for over two years. It was widely expected to sail through last week's material contravention process.
However, nine councillors voted against it, and only Johnny Wall (FF), Miriam McGillycuddy (Labour) and Karen Tobin (Labour) voted for it.
Those opposed said they wanted to persuade the retailer to choose a town-centre site. Many said they wanted it as an anchor tenant in the GAA stadium in Austin Stack Park for which local developers recently announced tentative plans.
This is despite a letter from Marks & Spencer that it will not consider an alternative site.
Canon Warren has described the GAA park plan, which has yet to be approved by the GAA board and which will not materialise for a number of years, as "embryonic" and "a red herring".
Meanwhile, the mayor of Tralee, Norma Foley (FF), has indicated she will be changing her mind following criticism on the doorsteps during election campaigning.
It was not clear yesterday if Marks & Spencer is still interested in Tralee. A new material contravention process could take up to two months if endorsed by councillors. The group is also in discussions with retail managements in Killarney where shopping parks are opening shortly and where there is support among local politicians for the retailer.