Ten local politicians have written to Roscommon County Council to call for a new public realm scheme for Ballaghaderreen. It's after a protest was attended by nearly 500 people on Sunday. Anger is growing in Ballaghaderreen over the €4.5 million scheme that would see 47 car-parking spaces lost in the town. The project was given planning permission by councillors from the Boyle Municipal District in 2021. But 10 local politicians are calling for a revised plan, in consultation with the local community. Their letter, addressed to Roscommon council management, says other local authorities have agreed revised plans. They say the people of Ballaghaderreen deserve a plan they support and works for them, their homes, businesses, and livelihoods.
It says there are several issues with the works already completed. These include emergency vehicles not being able to make their way to St Nathy's College, which has over 600 students. The letter calls on council management to engage and consult on a revised plan. The letter is signed by all three Roscommon-Galway TDs - Claire Kerrane, Martin Daly and Michael Fitzmaurice - and MEPs Ciaran Mullooly and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan. It's also signed by Senator Gareth Scahill and four of the six Boyle Municipal District councillors - Micheal Frain, Leah Cull, Valerie Byrne and Liam Callaghan. The only ones not to sign it were Independent Tom Crosby and Fianna Fáil's Sean Moylan.
