A Westmeath Green party councillor says she's disheartened but not defeated by her council colleagues attitude to creating more public outdoor spaces in Athlone.
Councillor Louise Heavin had asked that the council think of turning the car parking spaces at Market Square between Athlone Castle and the Cathedral into an outdoor seating and eating area, but she did not get the support of her colleagues.
She also didn't secure support when she asked for picnic benches and more seating in the centre of Athlone, with officials and colleagues saying the onus was more on local businesses to provide the furniture.
Councillor Heavin says she's still determined to push for more public spaces for people in the town to put the needs of people over facilities for cars:
