Posted online: Feb 20th, 2008

A Carndonagh community group has blasted the county council for failing to invite it to tonight’s seminar by celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin on plans for a town park.

The chairman of the Carndonagh Community and Rural Development Company, Raymond Doherty, said his organisation has been completely ignored by the council.

Mr Gavin is consulting with schools and interested parties on the future of community spaces and will deliver a lecture at 8pm tonight in Áras Carndonagh Community School.

Mr Doherty said: “We feel the council has snubbed us. I like to think that we, as a community group, has tried to do the best for the town and Inishowen in general. To be left out of these decisions is very disappointing.”

“We are delighted that Diarmuid Gavin is coming but we feel disregarded in terms of how it is being organised.

“Being around for over 50 years, you would think the company would be included in making these decisions. The only information we get is from the local press.”

“Why do we need to bring in an international architect? Why aren’t our own local architects involved? Was there even a tendering process for this job?”

The chairman said: “Another question I have been asked is what expenses is their going to be? Bringing in Diarmuid could be very pricey. Will they be able to afford what he wants to do? And if they have enough then why isn’t some of the money being put into our roads and our own businesses?

“Not even being invited to contribute our own ideas is beyond me.”

Mr Doherty said: “Our group has lobbied for housing, sewerage schemes, the Carn cross, the new diamond and for a decent road to Quigley’s Point, to name just a few.

The lad who designed the diamond was a local who lived yards away from the diamond. We’ve promoted enterprise. You’d think, out of common courtesy, they would have let us known what was happening.”

The vice-chairman of the community group, Gerard Moyne, said: “I have no problem with Mr Gavin. What I do have a problem with is his consultation fees.

This is not sour grapes about not getting an invite to the seminar. I don’t give a shite about seeing Diarmuid Gavin.

“This is council publicity stunt. We’ve asked the council for details and we’ve heard nothing.

“The people who have been most involved in the community have not been asked their opinion.

“I have no recollection of any consultation between the council and community on the tendering process for a playground.

“The council sets aside one per cent of its allocation for arts, cultural or architectural projects.

“A few years ago, they spent this money two bells were put up by the lake costing 20,000 euro. They’re gone now. Where did they go?

“We objected strongly about how the money was spent.

“We’ve have been involved in barrack Hill for an awful long time. You could write a book about the hassle we’ve had. We’re getting really pissed off with it, to say the least.

“The council has suggested there has been consultation with the community. I challenge them to say when and where this consultation took place.

“I’ve asked around and I’ve yet to meet anyone that I would know that is involved in community work who has been invited.”

“We’ve had meeting with council staff who have treated us absolutely abysmally. We’ve got excuse after excuse. We’re getting the runaround. They’re the greatest bunch of buck passers ever.

“We have huge big council offices in the town but no playground for the children. Let’s sort out the playground first and then see about the plants.”

Carndonagh-based county councillor Denis McGonigle, who also sits on the Carndonagh Community Development Company’s committee, said he had no idea how much Mr Gavin was charging.

He said: “I was under the impression it may have been a good-will gesture by Mr Gavin.

“I wouldn’t think it was the council’s intention to snub the group. It is an open meeting. It’s disappointing that delays at Barrack Hill have gone on for so long.”

So far, Donegal County Council has not responded to Inish Times’ questions on the issue.

Diarmuid Gavin’s agent John Noel in London has not responded to this newspaper’s questions.