Built at considerable cost to the town a new public toilet means the people of Castlebar can spend a penny but only during restricted hours.
Over the years there has been a love hate relationship between the programme 'Newsbeat' and the Mayo town of Castlebar. 'Newsbeat' has been accused of previously showing the town on fair day when it has animals and dirt knee deep on the streets.
Now Cathal O'Shannon is back in Castlebar to report on a new public toilet located on the Mall. The lavatories. were constructed at a cost to the Castlebar ratepayers of a little over £3,000 and are officially opened less than two months.
One Castlebar Urban Councillor recently referred to the town as,
The most civilised small town in Ireland.
However, since its opening, the public convenience has been treated in the most uncivilised way. In the few weeks that it has been open, vandals have begun to pull the place to pieces. As a result, the council has decided to restrict the opening times of the public lavatories to between 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
The public houses here close at eleven o'clock at night. The public jacks at five.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 5 November 1968. The reporter is Cathal O'Shannon.
