NAAS, 19 September: by Brian Byrne. Naas UDC chairman Willie Callaghan (right) last night appealed to the people of Naas to sign the Book of Condolences located in the main office at the Town Hall.
His comments came during the first meeting of Naas UDC since the occurrence of what he termed the 'horriffic tragedy' in Manhattan. "America was always there for us," he said, proposing that the council send a letter to the US ambassador expressing the feelings of the members.
Cllr Charlie Byrne said the terrorist attacks have 'made a change in us all'. "They have made us more tolerent, more prepared to talk to each other, to think about ourselves," he said.
Cllr Pat McCarthy said the thoughts of the council should be with Naas people living in Manhattan and with Americans living in the Naas area.
Cllr Seamie Moore reminded the meeting that we have 'terrorists living in this country too, who have killed and maimed people', and that all terrorism and the needless waste of life it resulted in should be condemned.
Cllr Eibhlean Bracken objected to Cllr Moore's remarks, saying the council shouldn't be talking about such things now. She was supported by Cllr Timmy Conway, who said that 'what had happened in America has nothing to do with anything here'.
©2001brianbyrne/knn