Council takes down more than 100 election posters
More than 100 candidate and party posters have been removed by Cavan County Council staff in just the first two weeks of election campaigning, many of which flaunted road safety rules, The Anglo-Celt can reveal.
Of the more than 100 election posters taken down by local authority staff since the General Election was first called on January 14, more than half have been reclaimed.
The posters removed were representative from across the political spectrum.
There are strict bye-laws and guidelines surrounding the erection of election posters - and those that do not abide by them could face heavy penalty.
Aside from rules that posters may only be erected for a certain specified time period before an election, and removed within seven days of polling day, the Road Traffic Act contain requirements to maintain clear lines of sight for road users which impacts on where posters can be placed.
A spokesperson for Cavan County Council stated: “Posters which obscure road signs, or interfere with motorists, cyclists’, or pedestrians’ view at junctions or roundabouts have been and will be taken down.”
They added: “All candidates and/or parties whose posters have been removed have been notified and many have already reclaimed their posters for erection in alternative locations. Those candidates whose posters remain unclaimed may do so by contacting Cavan County Council.”
The council's guidelines on election posters can be read here:
http://www.cavancoco.ie/Default.aspx?StructureID_str=255&guid=1764