Lidl now has six months to respond, or the application could be deemed withdrawn.

He'll hold the job for one year and will get an allowance of 6,000 euro.

Although the apartments have been completed, they've remained vacant since last December.

The service will also continue to provide two return trips on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

First elected in 1991, Domnick Connolly made a return to politics in the last local elections, claiming the last seat in the Athlone LEA.

Representing Sinn Féin, he was first elected to the local authority in 2014's elections.

He was nominated by his Fine Gael colleague Garry Murtagh, and seconded by the outgoing cathaoirleach, Turlough McGovern.

The blaze broke out at a house at around 4am.