Compromise and calm heads needed as public realm works stop in Ballaghaderreen 

Compromise and calm heads are needed in relation to the protest over Public Realm Works in Ballaghaderreen, a meeting of Boyle Municipal District heard this afternoon, Friday.

Works have stopped on the €4.5m project and calls have been made for a mediator  to be called in, in a bid to find a compromise to the issue.

Local retailers and residents have been protesting over the works, claiming they will decimate local trade by removing substantial parking, and the new narrow layouts will make navigation around the town challenging for everyone.

Following highly emotive contributions by local councillors at today’s meeting, Roscommon County Council’s Director of Services Greg O’Donnell said that it would be very difficult to back out of the works, which could cause a huge “financial headache” for the council. He said it would set a precedent for other public realm works in the county as there were contractual obligations and undertakings were given to the funding bodies.

He also said the council had given an undertaking to buy land close to the Square which would accommodate 50 car parking spaces.

He stated: “When designs are done issues can arise on the ground. If we need to, we can tweak or correct an issue within the confines of the plan.

“Compromise is important. There have been three meetings between the council and the groups involved. If we overturn this Part 8, I don’t know where that will leave us as to the future.” 

Chairman of the MD Cllr Tom Crosby said he had received abusive phone calls due to his stand on the issue and called for a “bit of common sense”.

Meanwhile, Cllr Michael Frain was supported by the members when he said that, if necessary, a mediator should be brought in to help resolve the issues. He strongly objected to claims of “scaremongering” saying, that at all times the safety of the town was at the heart of the matter.