COUNCILLORS expressed their disappointment with the Council this week after claiming they were last to hear about a €1.59 million social housing development in West Limerick.
Cathaoirleach of Newcastle West Municipal District, Cllr Michael Collins told the council executive at this month’s area meeting that he was “flabbergasted” not to have been informed about the proposed project for New Street in Abbeyfeale.
“An announcement was made for this €1.59 million social housing development in Abbeyfeale. I knew nothing about it. Why were we not informed?” he asked.
“I am flabbergasted”.
Sinn Fein councillor Seamus Browne described the council’s move not to inform local representatives prior to the announcement as “regrettable”. He said the project was considered as “insensitive” in Abbeyfeale, especially considering one family were currently faced with their home subsiding into the river, just 100 yards up the street from the proposed development.
“We had no prior knowledge. We should have been made aware of this project. We weren’t even given the opportunity to agree or disagree with it,” Cllr Browne said.
“Abbeyfeale has a large population. It has no family resource centre. No family resource officer. It doesn’t even have a Garda station. The town needs the necessary resources. This is deeply unfair to everyone.”
Cllr Francis Foley (FF) also told the council executive that he had no prior knowledge of the announcement of a social housing development in Abbeyfeale. He also pointed out there was no full-time Garda Sergeant in the town and the police station was only open one hour per day.
by Alan Jacques
