Public meeting tonight in Offaly town which has doubled in population

'Rural Roadmap to 2030' is the title of a public meeting which will discuss all issues affecting Edenderry and Offaly in the coming years.

The meeting, which is being organised by Fine Gael councillors Noel Cribbin and Liam Quinn, will be attended by the Minister for Rural and Community Affairs, Heather Humphreys.

All are welcome to the meeting in which will discuss national and local affairs.

The meeting takes place in the Oakwood Inn (Byrne's) on Monday, July 17 from 7pm to 9pm.

“The main reason for calling this public meeting is that for years the population of Edenderry was 4,000 plus but in latter years that has exploded to 8,000 plus with many relocating from other parts of Ireland and countries around the world,” outlined Cllr Cribbin.

He added: “Many families are here for years now with their kids born, reared and educated in Edenderry. However for some reason many have not engaged in clubs, organisation and in using their votes in local and general elections.”

Cllr Cribbin estimated that only 50 per cent of the new residents used their votes in recent elections.