The protest is continuing in Ballaghaderreen town centre as business people and residents demand major revisions to Roscommon County Council’s public realm plan.
The local action is now into its seventh week.
They are opposed to the advancement of public realm enhancement works which were under way in the town, claiming that if the work continues it will decimate local trade.
The Public Realm project involves creating more pedestrian space, and places for people to congregate and dwell in a town centre.
However, local concern includes the loss of parking as a result of the works, and the potential difficulties for larger vehicles navigating the new streetscape.
Members of the council executive held two separate informal meetings last week, one with the six Boyle Municipal District councillors followed by another with local Oireachtas members.
Despite this engagement, it’s understood that no real progress has been made on ending the standoff between both sides.
A resolution to the dispute will only be found through “intelligent dialogue”, according to one of the protesters, Joe Egan.
Joe has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley this evening about why the protest action is continuing…
