News - OPW

An OPW representative due to meet with Longford Councillors on Monday will be told that no houses will built on the former greyhound track in the town.

The meeting was called to highlight local opposition towards any plans for modular housing at Longford Greyhound track.

The Taoiseach spoke during the opening of 14 new social homes in St Michael's court.

While both elected representatives acknowledge there's a need to provide accommodation to refugees, Councillor Nolan says the greyhound stadium must be left as a recreational amenity as outlined in the county development plan.

The proposal was initially discussed at a meeting of Longford M.D.

John Mulvihill from the Capital Projects Office at Leitrim council says they've already been carrying out works close to the villages to allow water flow more freely in the local rivers.

Councillor Paddy O' Rourke from Carrigallen says the controversy surrounding the crib shows a lack of understanding of animals and what distresses them.

The site has been earmarked for the creation of a skatepark and mini harbour connecting to the Royal Canal, with calls also made to include sporting amenities on site such as soccer pitches.

Roscommon Castle and Abbey were both victims of vandalism involving graffiti or padlocks being cut from the gates.

OPW Minister says the major civil engineering project is an investment of over 13 million euro.

Minister O'Donovan hopes the vast majority of the defence measures will be constructed by the middle of next year with a further stretch to be worked on close to Golden Island after that.

Patrick O'Donovan says he's looking at everything which may help Roscommon County Council advance a planning application to alleviate flooding at the turlough.

Local politicians pledged their support to work on having the lake declassified as an SAC.

The group claims the High Court decision halting the works is being attacked by high level officials.