Update from the Club Executive on the proposed erection of a telecommunications mast on our clubgrounds in conjunction with Cignal Infrastructure Ltd.:
Following a video conference, the Club’s Executive Committee wish to clarify the following:
1. The Club’s Executive Committee are a group of willing Club volunteers, who give freely of their time. We take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the club, making decisions in the best interests of the Club and its members at all times.
All communication relating to proposed erection of such a structure is to be made through the Club’s secretary on secretary.tulsk.roscommon@gaa.ie, as is standard GAA procedure. We ask members of Tulsk Community Group to refrain from sending individual calls, text or media messages, via SMS, WhatsApp or any other such communication methods, to individual members of the club’s Executive Committee in relation to this matter.
We responded to your initial letter in a respectful manner. We expect that members of Tulsk Community Group will show us the same courtesy. Afterall, we are all neighbours, living in the same parish, supporting the one Gaa Club; a Club we are very proud to be part of.
2. We are sure you will agree that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on all of our daily lives. It has also impacted on the way we run our Club. On March 13th 2020, all GAA Clubs were issued with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance Document for GAA Clubs. From that date, club meetings were discouraged, as per the National Public Health Emergency Team Guidelines.
Therefore, it has not been possible for us to hold a Club Meeting to discuss the issue at hand. The Executive Committee proceeded to the initial stages of the Planning Application, safe in the knowledge that local residents would be given the chance to submit objections to the Planning Authority, as is the case with any planning application. As a result of Covid-19 restrictions, Roscommon County Council has extended the timeframe for planning applications to a 12-week period. It is regrettable that it has not been possible to hold a Club Meeting on the issue, as this would have given members a chance to discuss the issue and air their views.
3. As a committee, the future development, expansion and success of Tulsk Lord Edwards Gaa Club is of paramount importance to us. We are proud to provide Ladies Gaelic Football, Camogie and Men’s Gaelic Football for all ages, U6’s to adult level. We remain committed to developing improved training and playing facilities for all club members.
4. The Club’s Executive Committee acknowledges the health concerns associated with such masts raised by Tulsk Community Group within your initial letter. Community is at the heart of the GAA, therefore the Club’s Executive Committee will not be proceeding with any development that is not welcomed by local residents. We will be withdrawing our support for the Planning Application.
5. Mobile phone coverage and high-speed broadband is vital for our Club members, now more than ever. Our young players are now being educated from home, more and more of our Club members find themselves working from home in light of current restrictions, while we depend on technology to connect with our loved ones. Reliable broadband is a constant issue in many homes around our parish.
6. It is our firm belief that a mast will be erected in close proximity to our GAA Club in the near future. By withdrawing our Planning Application, the Club will miss out on its financial benefits, however we will do so at this time, to avoid further conflict with Tulsk Community Group and our valued Club members.
Finally, we wish all local residents well in these uncertain times. We look forward to a return to normal GAA activity and to cheering our beloved Tulsk teams on. Tulsk Lord Edwards Gaa Club holds its members dear and remains steadfast in its compliance with Covid-19 restrictions, to prevent the spread of this terrible virus in our community.
Take care and stay safe,
Tulsk Lord Edwards Executive Committee