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Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Accusations of deals ‘made behind closed doors' as youth group and councillors clash over Westport land sale to hotel group
Formed in October 2024, WAY began campaigning following years of neglect of a local playground and surrounding green space. The group engaged with councillors to push for safety repairs and investment in youth facilities. Councillors cited a lack of funding and ongoing vandalism as barriers to upgrading the park, which they say has long been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. It was revealed in July 2025 that the council had sold 0.67 acres of land on the site of the playground to the Wyatt Hotel Ltd. It will be used to expand the hotel and develop a 106-space underground car park. The sale price was €670,000, with an additional ring-fenced amount of €280,000 added to the sale to go towards improving the playground. The deal got the unanimous approval of councillors at municipal district level and there was a full debate at county council level on the issue. Ultimately, councillors approved the sale 22–2, with three abstentions, after rejecting a motion to delay the decision. WAY members were present during the vote. WAY defended their stance in opposing the sale, saying they should have been informed of the sale and claimed it had 'made behind closed doors'. In a statement WAY said: 'The fact that a decision of this magnitude was made behind closed doors while community members were encouraged to propose alternative uses for the space is both misleading and disrespectful.' However, local councillors defended the move. Peter Flynn, the Cathaoirleach of the Westport and Belmullet municipal district, said the sale of the land can be nothing but good as it helps bring life into the middle of Westport. He also denied hearing of WAY until the weekend of the sale, telling the Irish Independent, 'Now maybe I'll be proven wrong, but the first time I heard of the name was the weekend before the sale. Yes, I had individual parents contacting me, and I've met with individual parents, but I've never heard of that particular group until this controversy blew up.' The land is zoned for development, and Cllr Flynn says it is a well-known fact in the area that the park is a site for anti-social behaviour, stating that the council has spent tens of thousands over the years on repairs, claiming it was pointless to continue as ultimately it would be vandalised again. The WAY group rejects that anti-social behaviour was the reason for the park becoming unsafe, stating that it was down to a lack of maintenance from the council. 'The constant issue was that the local playground was not safe and a lot of us chose not to bring our small children there,' said WAY member Niamh Lally, 'It just wasn't safe and the general area was very unkept. We kept letting councillors know that there were issues.' In March 2023 €40,000 was allocated to Westport under the Community Recognition Fund to put back into the park. In August 2024, the park closed. A month later, a 6ft fence was erected around the playground, and gates were installed to shut it at night due to anti-social behaviour. Cllr Flynn defended the decision to put a fence around the park, 'the fence and the gate have worked well,' he said, 'people are not accessing it after dark, and once you eliminate that, it seems to have eliminated the vandalism that was associated with the area.' He continued: 'This was described as Mountjoy fencing, people can make their own mind up there, but if you look at any other facility, school facility or other recreational areas, this fencing is standard. The reason they use it is that it is vandal-proof, it ensures kids can remain in the area, and parents don't have to worry about them disappearing.' However, parents were shocked that funding went solely to fencing while broken swings, rotting benches, exposed nails, and graffiti remained. They raised concerns better youth facilities would reduce teens congregating in parks. This frustration led to the formation of the WAY group. 'The reason we said WAY is because we were shocked that our teenagers were being accused of being thugs and vagrants. The Westport children are lovely,' said Niamh, adding that the fenced park was still unsafe after the funding had been spent. They launched a petition that amassed over 1,300 signatures and held a 'Playful Protest' where over 150 people attended, including politicians Michael Ring and Keira Keogh. The group met with engineers from Mayo County Council and warned them that the playground was too dangerous to use. They were told again that it was vandalism, not neglect, that was the problem. The group commissioned an FOI request. The document contained 1,649 pages of risk assessments, many from 2023-2024, rating the park a 16 out of a possible 25, deeming it high risk. There was also documentation showing the €40,000 fence went to tender with a matching invoice. WAY again demanded improvements. 'We wanted a better playground and the park turned into a community space,' Niamh said. 'We need a town park, a space for teenagers to play football, toddlers to play, and older groups to gather.' The group created vision boards and engaged with councillors as well as the local community. 'It was a very positive thing, the councillors were behind this,' explained Niamh. By March 2025, Niamh met with Cllr Flynn, who confirmed plans to sell part of the land to the Wyatt Hotel, insisting it was a small section. Initially, WAY welcomed this: '[It was] all very positive and communicative,' Niamh said, 'There wasn't a moment where I thought anyone was lying to me. Then we got word on Wednesday that the whole plot, bar the fenced playground, was sold. We were shocked.' Cllr Peter Flynn confirmed to the Irish Independent that it is not the whole plot of land bar the fenced off playground that has been sold, 'Without a shadow of a doubt it's the piece to the right-hand side of the footpath as you come down from Church Lane. I have never suggested any other piece of land was for sale or not for sale. It has always been this 0.67 of an acre as you come down.' He said the developer had been in talks with the council for two years. He continued, 'It's been frustrating for all of us as councillors, this has never been a secret. We've always been open in terms of what we are trying to do here. We are trying to improve the overall playground area and facilitate business in our town centre, 'It has been anything but a secret deal. I told the parents here about 12 or 18 months ago that this piece of land would be for sale. This is not new news. I spoke to people in 2024 about this for certain.' He defended the land sale and made the point that it would bring people into the centre of Westport. 'One of the major problems we had with this playground was that we never had funding to upgrade it properly. This was a perfect scenario for us, it allowed an existing employer to expand the family premises here, creating parking spaces, and there is an opportunity to do something significant with this area now with the €280,000,' he said. Cllr Flynn argued that a false picture of the sale had been painted, which opened a space for negative commentary. Planning permission for the sale is due to come through towards the end of the year, objections towards the planning can be submitted then. Following this, if the decision made by the county council isn't favoured, appeals can be made to An Bord Pleanála. Niamh stated that the WAY group had nothing but the 'greatest respect' for councillors and they are not against development in Westport. "For over a year, our group, made up of local parents, youth advocates, and concerned residents, has poured time, energy, and personal resources into developing a community-led proposal for the space, all while being encouraged by councillors to move forward with our vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and safe green space, 'What we were not told was that discussions to sell the majority of this land had been in progress for over two years. This lack of transparency has eroded trust and demonstrates a serious disregard for the community's voice and effort.' Cllr Flynn pointed out that the sale had been unanimously agreed at the public municipal district meeting the previous month and none of the councillors were contacted at the time and no submissions were received. He urged members of WAY and other parents and community members to engage positively with the council on the future development of the playground, actively encouraging people to sit down with councillors and officials to see if they can work together in the future.
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Proposals sought from public as Bray's old courthouse to remain in the hands of the community
Home > Regionals > Wicklow > Bray Members of the 'Old Court House Proposal Team' outside the old District Courthouse, in Bray. The former courthouse building on the Boghall Road has been vacant since 2006, when court services were relocated to the Civic Centre. In December 2021, a group of local women made a submission to Bray Municipal District, with the aim of getting the courthouse back into community use. Since then, Karen McDonald, former councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Darly Carey, Deirdre Lally, Emma Lally, Anne-Marie McMorrow and Jolene O'Connor have worked to get that plan of action completed. Having succeeded in getting the building transferred into the ownership of Wicklow County Council (WCC), the team supported the council in their successful application for funding, and some €340,000 was allocated for the refurbishment of the building through the Community Recognition Fund. The team has also worked in partnership with the board of Ballywaltrim Community Centre to get their support to progress plans. They now hold a caretaker's agreement for the old courthouse building, another major milestone that allows them to move forward and engage directly with the community. Speaking on behalf of the group, Deirdre Lally said: 'No final decision has been made about how the building will be used – except that it will be for community use only. That's the exciting part. We now have the freedom to go out and find out what the community really wants.' Group member Aoife Flynn Kennedy added: 'We've been working on this for so long – it's hard not to feel excited as we approach the final stage. The possibilities are endless, but we have to be realistic too. Whatever plans we make, the building must be self-financing and sustainable.' The team has launched an online survey and will also be going door-to-door in the neighbourhood to make sure as many voices as possible are heard. So you can keep an eye out for them in the coming weeks. To complete the survey, you can go to the group's Facebook page: 'Old Court House Proposal Team'.
Irish Examiner
29-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Church-run Carraig Centre hailed for inclusion as it expands to serve even more Cork residents
The people behind a church-run community building that became a hub for Ukrainians in Cork have been hailed for their social inclusion work, as the property is set to undergo major works to cater to even more people. Tánaiste Simon Harris visited the Church of Ireland's Carraig Centre in Ballincollig on Friday for a briefing on the work, which is benefiting from government funding set up to recognise communities that helped welcome newcomers. The centre, run by the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes as a church, parish, and community centre, already hosts a range of groups and activities — from church and prayer groups, the HSE, the ICA, and the Montforts, to music and art lessons and birthday parties. Enable Ireland also provides adult day services for service users in the area from the centre. However, the building has become a key social hub for Ukrainians who fled the war and settled in Cork, and is now the home of the Ukrainian community choir of Cork, Kalyna, which has gone on to perform at the Cork Choral Festival. Tánaiste Simon Harris speaking at the Carraig Centre. Picture: Brian Lougheed The Carraig Centre secured €185,000 over three tranches of the Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Recognition Fund, which was set up to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the work being done to welcome and host new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. It also secured €2m in grant funding from the Department of Justice's now-closed Immigrant Investor Programme to cover the major refurbishment costs. The funding will cover: The installation of flexible wall partitions to create adaptable internal spaces for community groups; The construction of a walkway canopy to connect the existing east wing of the centre, which is currently being refurbished, ensuring all-weather access; The refurbishment of the west wing to create additional community space. Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy welcomed the government's commitment to community development in and across the city. 'The Carraig Centre is a professional, well managed, shared space that is open to all for the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Ballincollig and beyond,' he said. 'I would like to congratulate the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes on the progressive path they have taken in sharing this community facility way beyond their church community as an exemplar of social inclusion and community development.' The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy with Danielle Kelly and Emma Leahy, service owners at Enable Ireland. Picture: Brian Lougheed Rebecca Loughry, a director of services in the city council's Corporate, Community and Cultural Affairs directorate, said the Carraig Centre has consistently supported local community groups and the Ukrainian choir. 'This is an excellent example of what the Community Recognition Fund is all about in terms of enhancing services for all communities, new and established,' she said. 'It further adds to our commitment to enhancing and ensuring Cork city's reputation as a 'city of welcomes' which can be shared by all.' Tánaiste Simon Harris was greeted by the Rector of the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes and the Carraig Centre, Canon Robert Ferris and Rebecca Loughrey, Director of Services, Corporate, Community and Culture Affairs, Cork City Council. Picture: Brian Lougheed Canon Robert Ferris, rector of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, described Friday's visit by the Tánaiste as an important milestone, bringing together many of the people — including those from national and local government, their staff, and users of the centre — who have helped them reach this point. 'We look forward to serving the community to which we are called and continuing to build upon the rock (Carraig) solid foundations in the months and years ahead," he said. The construction work will continue through the summer with minimal disruption to its wide range of community services. Read More Work on Cork taskforce 'ongoing' as Fine Gael appoints first ever spokesperson on city
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth's historic Millmount museum set for major upgrade
Plans for the extensive upgrade have been welcomed by local councillor, Ejiro O'Hare Stratton, who highlighted a 'growing and productive partnership between Millmount Museum and Louth County Council, a relationship that has flourished over the past year and is now delivering tangible benefits for Drogheda.' 'I am pleased to confirm that €50,600 has been allocated under the Community Recognition Fund for enhancement works to Governor's House, a key part of the museum complex.' She welcomed further funding successes including nine government grants, totalling €130,000, awarded to support the museum's ongoing development and €140,000 secured by Louth County Council to restore the historic stone wall along the walkway to Millmount Tower. The project will be delivered by McGuigan Stone Masons of Cavan, with works starting in early July. 'In addition to a €6,000 grant to modernise the museum's library archiving system, there is a new annual financial contribution from Louth County Council to support the museum's long-term sustainability.' Cllr. Hare Stratton outlined the plans to improve facilities at Millmount museum including an upgrade to windows, new bathrooms and a redecorated lecture hall along with a modernised kitchen, a full IT systems upgrade and integration with the new heating system installed last year. She acknowledged the role of Louth County Council's new Chief Executiv,e David Conway, whose support she says 'has brought renewed energy and commitment to the project.' 'This marks a turning point for Millmount. At a time when national tourism is facing challenges, we are seeing resilience, investment, and optimism right here in Drogheda. This is about partnership — between the museum, the Old Drogheda Society, and Louth County Council. It is very positive news for our heritage, our local economy, and our wider community.' Cllr Ejiro OHare also paid tribute to Mr. John McCullen, President of the Old Drogheda Society, for his 'unwavering leadership, and to the incredible team behind the scenes, their dedication and passion are the driving forces behind this success.' 'With morale high, strategic investment underway, and visitor numbers holding steady despite national trends, Millmount Museum is on course to thrive, and to shine as a cultural landmark in the northeast of Ireland.' Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Joint venture for Tipperary tourism project would be a ‘game-changer'
The call was made at the June meeting of the Thurles Municipal District by councillor Jim Ryan, who highlighted that the initiative had been unsuccessful in accessing funding under the latest round of the Community Recognition Fund, as well as other funding sources previously. Thurles Tourism Office had submitted an application for the latest round of the scheme for their tourism bus for the town, which would see visitors to the area picked up at the train station and driven around to see the sights in the area, such as Holycross Abbey, the Rock of Cashel, and Cormackstown Museum before being dropped back to their accommodation in the county or to the train station so they can continue their journey. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Ryan said that the idea behind the scheme is aiming to make tourism in Tipperary easier to access. "The thinking behind it is to make it easier for people to come to Thurles, just get the train, they will be transported around various local tourist attractions and brought back to their accommodation and back to the train station,' he outlined. "In my opinion it's a no-brainer, it would be a game-changer regarding local tourism if they were successful in getting funding for it,' the independent councillor added. Questioning where the Thurles Tourist Office go from here with regards to accessing funding, the local councillor outlined that the project had been turned down under various funding streams in the past. "Could it be some sort of link up with yourselves [Tipperary County Council] and the Tourist Office in Thurles regarding that project because something that I believe strongly is tourism and if there's something there to help it, and bring tourism to the Thurles area I think we should be supporting it. "It's very disappointing for them that year after year they keep applying for various funding streams and they keep getting turned down,' he added. 'Could there be a joint partnership between the Thurles Tourism Office and the tourism section of the county council, maybe they come up with funding and the county council come up and match the funding, at this stage they've really gone for every single stream of funding,' Cllr Ryan said. Councillors were informed at the meeting that the matter would come down to tourism budgets, which are set out in advance, but that members from the tourism section would talk to the head of the section to review the budget to see if there's any scope to get the scheme up and running for 2026.
