Laois Senator contacts Justice Department over pub IPAS plan
A similar plan was fiercely opposed by many residents in Durrow
A Laois Senator has contacted the Department of Justice in relation to a new planning application for IPAS accommodation at a pub in Durrow.
Senator Maria McCormack stated online that due to concerns being raised by the people of Durrow she requested an update from the Justice Department.
The Sinn Fein Senator was commenting in relation to a planning application lodged by Marc Lennon in respect of Lennon's Bar on Mary Street in Durrow. He has sought permission to convert the pub, which has permission for use as a guesthouse/ hostel, for use as an International Protection Accommodation Service(IPAS) centre.
A previous application by Mr Lennon for Lennon’s Bar and Peader’s Bar on the same road was granted by Laois County Council but rejected on appeal by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Sen McCormack contacted the Department of Justice and stated that: “They confirm they are not examining these properties for use as IPAS. I will seek updates again once the planning decision has been made by the Council.”
She said “the department also says: ‘An application from a prospective provider to the local authority for planning permission does not mean that the Department intends to contract a property as International Protection Accommodation’."
A planning report by Robert Nowlan of RW Nowlan & Associates was submitted with the new planning application on behalf of Mr Lennon.
It states that a previous application by Mr Lennon in July of 2025 for Lennon’s Bar, along with a similar application for another pub, Peadar’s Bar, on Mary Street, had been approved by Laois County Council.
“Both applications were permited by Laois County Council but appealed by a third party to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The inspector in An Coimisiún Pleanála recommended that permission for Lennon’s Bar would be upheld while Peader’s Bar should be refused. Unfortunately, the final order of An Coimisiún Pleanála was to refuse both applications,” the report states.
It states that concerns over the standard of the accommodation have been addressed in the new plan for Lennon’s Bar. It says that concerns around the social infrastructure concerns are also addressed.
“A Social Infrastructure Audit was conducted for the previous application, this audit has been revised to provide a more comprehensive and robust audit and the findings have been adjusted as only Lennon’s Bar are applying for this change of use in order to bring the population change below the suggested 5% limit,” it states.
In conclusion, the report said: “It is considered that the proposed use and locaƟon of the building in a Durrow Town Centre site will help provide a new use for this mostly vacant building. The town centre location will allow residents to use the local services and visit local businesses in the town. The addition of 33 no. residents to the town centre will sustainably add to the vitality of the town without putting unnecessary strain on existing infrastructure.”
A decision on latest application for Lennon’s Bar, which was lodged with Laois County Council on October 16, is due to be made by December 10.