Solution finally found for Laois estate after four decades waiting

Work has commenced that will end an almost four-decade campaign to connect houses in Rosenallis to a sewage system.

The news was revealed to delighted Cllr Seamus McDonald, Fianna Fáil, at a recent meeting between council management and councillors.

The public representative who has represented his home village for many years tabled the latest of his many motions to persuade the council to deliver a sewage scheme at Goodwin Estate, Rosenallis, at a recent meeting with officials.

Trevor Hennessy, Acting Senior Engineer, Water Services, broke the good news in a written reply.

“Work on this group sewerage scheme is due to commence and be completed before the end of April. The contractor is appointed and will commence work imminently,” he said.

However, Cllr McDonald already knew the answer and updated the council staff himself.

“Actually, work on the scheme has started. It is great news for people living in the 10 houses who have been waiting 38 years,” he said.

He was clearly pleased that a resolution has finally been reached.

“It was a major issue for years,” he said.

In addition, he expected a connection to the school, which is being extended, is also on track.

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The project was also pursued by former councillor Dave Goodwin.

The commencement of work in 2023 was sparked back when a Executive Technician was appointed in 2018 to survey the project. This led to the preparation of a plan.

Councillors were previously told that residents would have to foot some of the cost. However, they were also told that a grant of up to 75% of the overall cost, subject to a maximum of €6,750 per house would be available to fund the scheme.

The issue was raised at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.