Automatic toilets misbehaving in Wexford town as public fear being exposed at inopportune moment

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The lack of public toilets in Wexford town is deterring people from doing their weekly shopping there according to one local councillor. And although they are a number of automated toilets dotted throughout the town, many people are afraid to use them in case the automatic doors suddenly open at an inopportune moment.

Raising the issue for at least the sixth Wexford Borough meeting in a row, Councillor Leonard Kelly pleaded with environmental engineer Hugh Maguire to seek funding for this much-needed public amenity.

“I’m going to have to keep asking about this, it may seem I’m being vexatious, but this is seen as a priority by many people in town,” said Cllr Kelly. “People want a fully-accessible, baby-changing, toilet facility on the Quay. I know it’s becoming a running joke that I ask this question on a frequent basis but I need to hear that we’re going to get one or that it’s never going to happen. I will stop asking then.”

As eager as his counterpart to bring an end to these discussions, Mr Maguire said he didn’t “particularly want to be coming to the Wexford Borough meetings to talk about public conveniences all the time”. However, having been asked the question, he was duty-bound to answer it.

“We have two automatic, accessible toilets on High Street, one on the Quay, one in Redmond Park,” he said. “And when this issue was brought up at the previous council a few years ago there were various issues proposed and the members decided they didn’t want another box on the Quay.

“We can go down that route again but it will be costly, there are significant engineering issues in relation to putting in services.”

Accepting that there are a number of automated toilets in Wexford town, Cllr Kelly said the automatic systems in place were not fool proof.

“If you have a child that needs changing, or if you have anxiety issues, they’re not suitable. Three weeks ago on a Sunday morning on the Quay I needed to use the facilities. I put my money in, it opened up, and the bowl was covered in faeces. So, if they’re meant to be self-cleaning, they’re not.

"Also, that one is in the middle of a car park, so from a dignity point of view there are people who won’t use it because they’re afraid the doors will open, straight onto a public area. This has to stop.”

With Cllr Kelly requesting that the council provide funding for a new public toilet, Cllr Robbie Staples reminded the meeting that a proposal was in place to restore the old Ballast Office for council use. Suggesting it could host a public toilet, Cllr Staples was encouraged by the response he received from director of services Jackie Carroll.

“We are looking at a feasibility study towards the Ballast building becoming the new centre for the Wexford Borough District,” she said. “And if it’s possible to incorporate a public convenience there we will do so. We know this is something which is needed.”

While Cllr Tom Forde welcomed this proposal he argued that a funding application for a new public toilet should be submitted regardless of what happened with the Ballast office.

And Cllr Biddy Walsh said the current situation was so bad that many people were put off visiting Wexford town because of the lack of facilities.

“Anything that stops people coming into town should be addressed,” she said. “And this is something which is stopping people from coming into town, especially women. The toilets that do exist need to be cleaned, manually. This is a fundamental right for people.”

Having accepted that this is a conversation which is not going to go away, Mr Maguire fired one last salvo at those who suggested the current toilets weren’t sufficient.

“29,000 people use those automated toilets annually, and the one in the Crescent and the one outside Dunne’s are fully accessible,” he said.