A local Councillor has emphatically denied that a the council’s clean-up of Keady was purposefully scheduled ahead of the Twelfth Day celebrations.
Praising the council’s ‘Blitz Squad’ attendance in the town for routine power-washing on Tuesday July 8, SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said: ” “The Council’s Blitz It Squad started work in Keady early on Tuesday power washing around the Monument and will continue around Market Street.
“After this they will progress to the area opposite (where the Christmas Tree and Crib go) and down by the Library to the Square. The teams will then progress down the Main Street.”
“The Blitz It Squad are a recent addition to the Environmental Services Team within Council and recently completed power washing works in Armagh City Centre and just last week were in Tandragee.
“I’ve already met with Senior Management about similar works in Middletown and Milford, which I hope will follow on shortly.”
Sharing their intended schedule of work, the Councillor added: “The team will be in Keady the rest of this week and next. I have requested deep cleans of the Play Park, both car parks, the Glen, Tassagh Road and Chapel Street.
“The power-washing is badly needed and these works are very much welcome. Thanks to the different business owners who have been in touch, hopefully these works will be part of a regular schedule and not reactionary.
“Apologies for any inconvenience caused.”
However, not everyone was as delighted with the schedule – or rather the timing of said schedule – as Councillor O’Hanlon.
In reply to the Councillor’s gleeful announcement, ‘Keady Against Sectarian Marches’ commented: “Interesting timing. Council has money to spruce the town up before the sectarian 12th parades but could barely afford a Christmas Tree for the town?”
In retort, Councillor O’Hanlon stood his ground adding: “Actually nothing to do with the 12th – there’s no parade where the works are taking place!”
In fact, the Councillor insists that the team have continued to operate in the rural county Armagh town following the festivities and will continue to do so in the coming days.
