Join the Fight: Greystones Community Unites Against Proposed Casino Near Schools and Rehab Center
Last night, the community of Greystones gathered at St Patrick's School for an important meeting about the proposed casino in town. The attendance was overwhelming, the hall packed, and people shoulder to shoulder for space. With over 2,400 signers (and counting) on the petition against the casino, it was no surprise to see the attendance. The meeting was a testament to the community's strong stance against gambling near schools, homes, and a rehabilitation center.
One of the speakers was a recovering addict from Tiglin, who shared his personal, and deeply moving story of the dangers of gambling and how it can become addictive. This further highlighted the need to protect the younger generation from accessing such establishments. The current ID checks for individuals over 18 years of age were viewed as unrealistic and unenforceable, especially late and night and with limited oversight from locals.
Councillor Lourda Scott was the main speaker and her passionate words left everyone in no doubt about her desire to support this campaign. She spoke about her unwavering support for stopping the proposed casino and her commitment to working with her colleagues and local representatives to protect the community. Stephen Stokes and Jennifer Whitmore, TD, also spoke with conviction about their opposition to the casino, confirming their support for Lourda's efforts. Jennifer Whitmore went on to mention that her colleague Mark Barry was equally committed to stopping the casino.
Councillor Derek Mitchell, although he had to leave the meeting early, had a community member confirm his stance on the issue - he too was in support of stopping the casino. The meeting was further bolstered by the presence of Stephen Matthews, TD, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and a former town planner. He gave his full support and expertise in planning issues related to the site of the proposed casino. We have not heard from our two other local councillors and we will update this blog once we have their views on record. It is understood that Minister Simon Harris has been briefed and also offers his support to the community.
It was evident from the speeches given by these local leaders that they were united in their efforts to stop the casino and protect their community.
The community learned that Bray council has designated a specific area for casinos and has strict laws limiting casinos outside of the commercial strip in town. The goal is to stop casinos altogether and keep them away from residential areas and schools. The Sustainable Greystones Team will now be the designated group to manage progress and work with the councillors, TDs, and members of the community who have offered their time and services.
The community is urging more people to join the cause and assist in various roles such as leaflet drops, protests, and legal and planning support. To get involved, please email betagainstcasino@gmail.com and sign the petition, links on this page. The goal is to create the largest district-wide petition in Ireland, showing that a united community can stand up against big business and gaming exploitation.
In conclusion, last night's meeting was a clear message from the Greystones community: We do not want a casino in our town, near our schools, or our rehab center. We stand together to protect our community and show that a united front can bring about change.