By Eoghan Dalton and Aoife Kearns
A busker in Waterford has been threatened with a fine of up to €3,000 if she does not cease playing on the city’s streets.
Joy O’Keefe, who regularly draws people to her jazz playing at the People’s Park and John Roberts Square, blasted the warning as “appalling” as she plays in “wide open” areas where the “majority of businesses” are closed.
Waterford City and County Council told the musician on Wednesday morning that due to the musician’s use of an amplifier, and the current Level 5 restrictions on busking, she would need to stop.
“We have informed the Gardaí to move on any buskers performing in the city centre," an official told Ms O’Keefe in a letter.
The warning was issued after the council received noise complaints regarding "performing on public streets during level 5 lockdown”, but the official added that any “continued use of amplification may result” in a fine.
While buskers have not been permitted to perform during the latest lockdown, the letter also relates to contentious bye-laws introduced for Waterford in 2019, which state that “no person shall broadcast any vocal or instrumental performance using amplified sound" in public unless they have permission from the council.
It was widely believed their introduction was due to a persistent preacher but any person who breaches it is liable to a fine of up to €1,270.
In a statement issued to WLR News, Waterford City and County council said: "The bye-laws allow for enforcement by either the Gardai or duly authorized Council staff.
"The warning letter was issued to this person following complaints received by the Council that she busking in public using amplified sound (in breach of the bye-laws) and that the activity was causing people to congregate at a time when such is not allowed under the Covid 19 restrictions.
"The policing / enforcement of the Covid 19 restrictions is clearly a matter for the Gardai."
Joy spoke to WLR News journalist Aoife Kearns on this morning's Déise Today:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11231943/joy-okeeffe-busker
