A CAMPAIGN against the extension of Limerick city boundary into Co Clare has appealed to Clare exiles living abroad to support the movement. A voluntary group was set up by south east Clare residents called Clare Against Boundary Extension (CABE), after the publication of Limerick Corporation's proposals for a borough boundary extension.
The proposal is that 11,937 areas of Co Limerick and 4,600 acres of Co Clare become part of the city. CABE says there are thousands of Clare born people living around the world, many of whom have attained positions of importance in their adopted countries. Mr James Gully, chairman of CABE, said: "We doubt if they would condone or endorse any move to put over 4,000 Clare residents into Limerick city."
He said there is no precedent in the history of the modern Irish State for the proposal. "Irish cities here in the past extended into their own counties," he said. This was not an issue of Limerick people versus Clare people. "There is a large number of Limerick people living in this area who are happy to do so and Clare born people are happy to have them as neighbours"
CABE also wants to "maintain the birthright" of children born in the area and fears that if the area is taken into Limerick city, it will lose its rural status, which could mean higher house insurance, higher car insurance and higher rates for business.
Limerick Corporation says the growth of the city is being stunted and the extra area would swell the population by 30,000 to a total of 82,000. This would give Limerick back its third city status, which has been assumed by Galway. The decision rests with the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin.