No budget for new lighting - Granard MD engineer

There will be no new public lighting installed by the council, unless funding is raised by local communities.

District Engineer for the Granard Municipal District, David Coppinger, made the claim at last week’s meeting of the district, held in Abbeyshrule.

Cllr David Cassidy (FF) submitted two motions to the Granard MD meeting in relation to the need for public lighting.

His first called for the erection of public lighting at Ballinamuck new cemetery and Legga cemetery.

“The lighting could be done on a timer in the winter months until 11pm at which point they will be off for the remainder of the night,” his motion stated.

His motion was seconded by Cllr Padraig Brady (FG).

His second motion called for public lighting from Gaigue to Ballinamuck village.

“It's not installed currently and this is a safety issue,” he stated.

Cllr Brady also spoke on the motion. “The community put up some funds for this. Unfortunately, one section of the footpath hasn’t been completed,” he explained.

“If the footpath was completed, then the lighting could be completed, from Ballinamuck School to Gaigue,” Cllr Brady added.

On behalf of the council, David Coppinger District Engineer, told the meeting: “The public lighting budget will not allow for new lighting to be installed.

“There will be no new lighting unless local groups find the funding for it themselves,” Mr Coppinger added.