Sligo LCSP Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Sligo Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) Meeting held at 11.30 am on Monday 8th December, 2025 in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


Members Present

  • Cllr. Marie Casserly (Chair)
  • Cllr. Arthur Gibbons
  • Cllr. Thomas Walsh
  • Cllr. Dónal Gilroy
  • Cllr. Gerard Mullaney
  • Cllr. Dara Mulvey
  • Cllr. Liam Brennan
  • Supt. Tom Colsh
  • Ms. Cara O’Neill
  • Mr. Martin Lydon
  • Ms. Deirdre Kelly
  • Mr. Michael Barrett
  • Ms. Caitriona Sinnott
  • Ms. Geraldine Brennan
  • Ms. Marie Brennan
  • Ms. Elizabeth Bartlett
  • Ms. Bernadette Maughan
  • Ms. Kira Smith
  • Ms. Mabel Chah
  • Ms. Caroline Forde
  • Mr. Chris MacManus
  • Ms. Pippa Black (Vice Chair)
  • Mr. John Feerick. 

 

Quorum

Yes

 

In Attendance

  • Mr. Brian Flynn, Director of Services
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Ms. Mairead Clerkin, LCSP Co-Ordinator
  • Sergeant Conor McHale, An Garda Síochána

 

Apologies

  • Ms. Edel Doran
  • Ms. Marie Richardson
  • Cllr. Edel McSharry

 

Declaration of Interest

2 No. Received and on file

 

Recording of meetings

For the purpose of minute taking going forward, the recording of meetings was proposed by Cllr. Arthur Gibbons, seconded by Cllr Gerard Mullaney and agreed by members.

 

1.  Election of Sligo LCSP Chairperson.

In accordance with the procedure outlined in the guidelines, nominations for election of chair were received as follows:

Cllr. Marie Casserly and Mr. Chris MacManus.

Mr. MacManus withdrew his name from the election

Cllr. Casserly was proposed by Cllr. Thomas Walsh, seconded by Ms. Bernadette Maughan.

As there were no other nominations, Cllr. Casserly was deemed Chair and assumed the seat.

Cllr. Casserly addressed the meeting as Chair with a welcome speech and she expressed her thanks to all members who nominated and trusted her to fulfill the role of Chair. She extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who put their name forward to be part of Sligo LCSP. She also thanked SCC staff for their work and acknowledged the integral role that An Garda Síochána, LA, HSE, Tusla, Residents, the C&V sector, Business, Education and Local Development Company will play in this Partnership.

The Declaration of Assurance for Chairpersons of LCSP’s was signed by the Chair for file.

 

2.  Election of Vice Chairperson

There were 3 Nominations for Vice Chairperson put forward from the floor as follows:

Mr. Chris MacManus – proposed by Cllr. Arthur Gibbons, seconded by Ms. Kira Smith

Ms. Pippa Black – proposed by Ms. Bernadette Maughan, seconded by Ms. Elizabeth Bartlett

Ms. Kira Smith - proposed by Ms. Pippa Black, seconded by Ms. Bernadette Maughan

Mr. Chris MacManus withdrew his name as he was satisfied that the Vice Chair position would be representative of the C&V sector

A secret ballot was held and results were as follows:

Ms. Pippa Black – 12

Ms. Kira Smith – 10

Spoilt – 1

Result: Ms. Pippa Black elected and deemed Vice Chairperson of Sligo LCSP

 

3.  Adoption of Terms of Reference

Ms. Margaret McConnell, SEO, gave a brief outline on the Terms of Reference for consideration and adoption by the Partnership.

A number of queries were received as follows:

Ms. Pippa Black queried the option of payment of travel expenses for C&V members attending meetings.  The meeting was told that this was a national issue and it was hoped that it would be addressed in the new year,

Cllr. Dónal Gilroy queried if there would be security issues particularly with no naming of individuals or discussion of personal issues relating to crime, etc., at meetings as this would be a GDPR breach. He also asked if any such issues could be identified before being put on an Agenda and that the particular item be brought to the members attention. The meeting was informed that all GDPR and Data Protection legislation and guidelines would be upheld to ensure protection if such issues arose.

Mr. Chris MacManus said he had hoped that there would have been a start on the Safety Plan and sought clarification on whether any Sligo LCSP meeting had taken place since the previous appointment of the 2024 Chair. In reply, Ms. McConnell stated that this was the first meeting to take place due to a national issue as legislation had changed since then.

The Terms of Reference were then adopted – proposed by Cllr. Gilroy and seconded by Ms. Bernadette Maughan, and agreed.

 

4.  Adoption of Standing Orders

Ms. Margaret McConnell, SEO, gave a brief outline on the Standing Orders for consideration and adoption by the Partnership.

A number of queries were received as follows:

Mr. Chris Mac Manus queried the attendance of media at Sligo LCSP meetings.  It was agreed that the media could attend, subject to conditions outlined in the Standing Orders.

Mr. Chris Mac Manus asked for clarification on Public and Non-public membership.  Ms. McConnell advised that public membership of Sligo LCSP included the 7 SCC Elected Members and 4 Public Agency members, ie, LA, An Garda Síochána, HSE and TUSLA.  Mr. McManus suggested that when public meetings are arranged to be held, they should not just be held in Sligo but around the county also.

Ms. Caitriona Sinnott asked if meeting dates could be set for the year ahead.  It was confirmed that this item would be addressed at item 6 on the agenda.

Cllr. Gilroy queried attendance and non-attendance at meetings. The Chair confirmed that this is included in the standing orders

The Standing Orders were then adopted – proposed by Cllr. Donal Gilroy and seconded by Mr. Chris Mac Manus, and agreed.

 

5.  Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Declarations

Ms. Margaret McConnell, SEO, gave a brief outline on the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Declarations which required each membership signature.

Ms. Pippa Black queried when a Conflict of Interest should be signed.  The meeting was informed that if in any doubt, members are required to declare any possible conflict of interest in advance of the meeting or where it occurs due to an unexpected item arising during the meeting.

Ms. Marie Brennan asked if non-members or substitutions could attend meetings.  Ms. McConnell advised that this would not be the usual practice, however, guided by the Terms of Reference to LA’s from the DJHAM, support personnel from a relevant agency may, with the prior agreement from the Chair, accompany an LCSP member for the purposes of providing further expertise on a specific topic of discussion on the agenda.  This is also referred to in the Standing Orders. Mr. Chris MacManus also advised that each member of the Partnership received a letter from the Minister to say that they had been approved as a member and that it is only those with Ministerial approval that should attend LCSP meetings.

 

6.  Consideration of Meetings and dates for 2026

It was agreed by all members that the LCSP Co-ordinator would notify the LCSP of proposed dates and times for 2026 with the suggestion of 2 morning meetings and 2 afternoon meetings to be held in Sligo County Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo. 

 

7.  Any Other Business

Mr. Chris MacManus queried staff appointments to Sligo LCSP.  He acknowledged the appointment of the Co-ordinator but queried the appointment of an Administrator (ASO grade) and asked if both staff would be dedicated to the LCSP.   Mr. Martin Lydon, CE, confirmed that the appointment of the Administrator was being progressed and as the posts were fully funded by the DJHAM, both posts would be allocated to this project.

In response to Ms Kira Smith on timing of the local plan, the Chair agreed that it would be important to progress with the research, collaboration and public consultation around drafting the local plan but this would have to be done in conjunction with the national strategy framework.

Correspondence received by Co-ordinator

  • Request by Solace, NW Cornerstone for LCSP membership - Solace is an in person out of hours mental health service in Sligo town.
  • Request by Northwest Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NWRDATF) for LCSP membership

It was agreed that both groups could be considered for membership of Sligo LCSP.

NWRDAFT – Proposed by Ms. Bernadette Gaughan, seconded by Ms. Deirdre Kelly

Solace – Proposed by Cllr. Casserly, seconded by Ms. Kira Smith

Membership would be subject to National Guidelines and Ministerial approval.

 

Next Meeting

23rd March 2026 at 4pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo. 

 


Meeting Date 08/12/2025