17/06/2016
Sligo County Council - V - SUPforall : IMPORTANT UPDATE
Supporters, before we go any further we wish to THANK each and every one of you for your support during this difficult time and to let you know that we will NEVER forget the thousands of messages and pledges, from YOU, to STAND with SUPforall throughout this fiasco.
Regretfully, as Sligo County Council will not change it position we must remain closed in order to avoid further legal prosecution by them and we wish to take this opportunity to shed further light on the detail of this case. We have delayed this press release due to the unexpected but very welcome intervention on our behalf by Cllr Declan Bree, Sligo's longest standing elected representive, in the Council Chamber on Monday last. Thank you Declan, it feels good to know that you are aware and concerned for our community in this matter.
The Trial.
On Tuesday June 7th We were sworn in before Judge Kilrane at Sligo District Court. Our counsel questioned : our representing Ireland as an Adventure Ambassadors at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Switzerland 2013, the making of 'Facing Waves' TV show 2014, the world wide positive media attention we received (every year) and our successes in attracting thousands of people, both local and from all over the world, to Trawane Bay.
We were then questioned by the prosecution counsel, who irionically had come to SUPforall with his family and enjoyed our activities, about if we felt we had been 'naive' to have started SUPforall without permission from our council. We conceded that we felt naive for believing that Sligo County Council would try to assist with our endeavors to establish Sligo as Ireland's and a SUP Mecca for the world.
The court concluded by ruling that SUPforall/David O'Hara must pay 25% of the Councils costs prior to September 6th 2016. We received no criminial conviction.
Where are we now?
We are closed. 2016 is finished for us. It seems it will be a 'long road' for us to walk to get our County Council to see the merits for Sligo, in supporting SUPforall.
For 2016 it is too late to set up at an alternative location, and to be honest we are already financially drained ...
But the Fight goes on and we will review all possible ways to get the camp back at Trawane Bay. We have re-directed our bookings to other activity providers, many of these bookings have left Sligo for other counties. We will keep SUPforall alive and FIGHT to see a change within our local authority in the hope that we can build a new business model at some point in the future. However, we have mouths to feed and bills to pay and therefore we will apply our expertise within the industry, at other locations where adventure activities like SUP are welcomed and encouraged. SUPforall is now a global brand and we owe it to those of you who love and support us to stay the course and effect a change.
Sligo is Ireland's and even if those 'highly paid civil servants' who are tasked with this county's promotion, refuse to acknowlege this, we know that YOU do! We know that our people, from all over the world want to come and visit the and to experience its activities, its food, culture, music, hospitality, scenery and most of all, YOU, its people.
What can YOU do to make a change?
YOU can call Sligo the in every relevent social media post you make. YOU can get more from your networks to log on to www.savetrawanebay.com and sign the PETITION calling on our Authority to adopt the term Adventure Capital in relation to Sligo. YOU can SUPPORT local activity providers by taking your friends and family on an adventure, go Kayaking with Sligo Kayak Tours, Climbing with Carriag Climbing, SUPing with Leitrim Surf Company, Biking with Wild Atlantic Wheels, Surfing with Strandhill Surf School or ISurf Ireland, exploring a walking trail with SeaTrails or take a pony trek with Island View Riding and KEEP using the hashtag .
What will we do now?
For now we will work with emerging businesses and destinations, both Nationally and Internationally to assist them to build product and market their destinations BUT all the while we will keep our campaign for a change in Sligo Alive.
We will NEVER give up and we PROMISE to publish the details of this case as we receive them. This has NOT GONE away, it is very much Alive, the stifled truth will be told and the 'Spinning' of the real story by our local Authority will be challenged and refuted, by FACTS, at every turn. When we receive the information we have requested, pertaining to our case, we will publish a FULL account of why we have been stopped offering Stand Up Paddle at Trawane Bay.
Thank you for your support, we LOVE you.
Our time will come, the is ALIVE.
