# Remove John Moran as Mayor of Limerick – Restore Public Confidence
 
## Petition to the Government of Ireland
 
We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Ireland to remove John Moran as Mayor of Limerick or, alternatively, introduce legislation allowing the people of Limerick to recall or remove a directly elected mayor where public confidence has been lost.
 
John Moran was elected as Limerick's first directly elected Mayor with a mandate to improve our city and was entrusted with significant executive powers and substantial public funding running to 10s of millions of euro, to deliver meaningful change. Instead, many residents, businesses and community groups believe his leadership has become divisive, his priorities misplaced, and confidence in his office has been seriously undermined.
 
One of the most controversial decisions of his term was the closure of The Crescent to traffic and its transformation into an "urban beach" immediately outside a building in which the Mayor owns.

While no official finding of wrongdoing has been made, many citizens believe this created the appearance of a conflict of interest and damaged public confidence in the office of Mayor.
 
Now, on **31 July 2026**, another urban beach has been created beside the River Shannon in Limerick city centre. Many residents believe this is yet another example of public money being spent on novelty projects rather than addressing the real issues facing our city. In our opinion, these sand installations are entirely inappropriate for a busy city centre and raise obvious maintenance and hygiene concerns, from cats dogs rats, while bringing ridicule rather than pride to Limerick.
 
At the same time, many people were deeply disappointed by the ending of the long-standing Mayor's Coal Appeal, which had helped elderly and vulnerable people for many years. At a time when so many pensioners continue to struggle with the cost of living, many residents believe this reflected completely misplaced priorities.
 
The Mayor has also proposed further road closures and pedestrianisation measures that have prompted significant concern among local traders. Many businesses fear that reducing vehicle access to the city centre will drive customers away and damage trade, particularly when a large proportion of shoppers travel into Limerick by car. There is ongoing protests in the city centre led by shop traders and TD Willie O'Dea.
 
Many residents believe that, instead of concentrating on publicity-driven projects, the Mayor should be focused on the issues that matter most to the people of Limerick, including:
 
 
- Supporting local businesses.
 
- Tackling dereliction.
 
- Improving public safety.
 
- Addressing traffic congestion.
 
- Delivering better public services.
 
- Helping vulnerable and elderly citizens.
 
- Ensuring that public money is spent wisely and transparently.
 

 
This petition is not about politics. It is about accountability.
 
The office of Mayor carries significant powers and substantial public funding. Those powers must always be exercised in a manner that commands public confidence and avoids even the appearance of conflicts of interest.
 
We therefore call on the Government of Ireland to:
 
 
- Remove John Moran as Mayor of Limerick if it is satisfied that public confidence has been irreparably damaged.
 
- Introduce legislation allowing the people of Limerick to recall or remove a directly elected Mayor where there is overwhelming public support for doing so.
 
- Commission an independent review into decisions relating to the pedestrianisation of The Crescent and any other projects where there may be an actual or perceived conflict of interest.
 
- Ensure that all major transport and public realm projects are subject to full and meaningful public consultation before implementation.
 

 
Limerick deserves leadership that listens to its people, supports its businesses, protects its vulnerable citizens and spends public money on genuine priorities rather than controversial projects that divide public opinion.
 
**If you believe Limerick deserves better, please sign this petition and share it widely. Together, we can send a clear message that the people of Limerick expect accountable, transparent and responsible leadership.** and will not tolerate an unknown coming to the city and disgracing us.