Public meeting set for this evening to debate Longford modular housing unease

The meeting, scheduled for PVs Red Room, has been arranged at the behest of local Cllr Gerry Warnock.

The Independent representative initially set up an online petition to engender support against the move to install several modular homes on the seven acre site before initiating the public forum just days later.

“We have heard both our Taoiseach and Tanaiste patronisingly talk down to local communities on this issue and dictate to them that they have no right to a veto in cases like this - I beg to differ," he said.

“The day that local communities are left out of the conversation, is the day that local democracy dies.”

At the time of writing, almost 1,000 signatories had signed Cllr Warnock's petition, a feat which has seen a number of other local politicians wade in on the debate.

Fine Gael Cllr Peggy Nolan has, like her county council colleague, been a long time critic of utilising one of three “low hanging fruit” which have been offered up to Office of Public Works (OPW) officials in recent weeks.

The long serving councillor told of how she had managed to broker an agreed meeting between the government agency and the council.

She said the talks could also provide the lobbying springboard towards realising her own objective in transforming Connolly Barracks' main building into a state of the art hostel.

Cllr Nolan added there was a need to look at other possibilities and other locations outside of the county town.

"There are three municipal districts, so let's explore every option that is open to us and see what sites are safe, appropriate and accepted by the councillors in those areas," she said.

Longford Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has, meanwhile, scotched rumours surrounding the mooted modular housing plans.

He also said it was his own view that neither the greyhound track or two other possible sites, located in Connolly Barracks or at a location at Abbeycartron were suitable.

“All three locations are critical to the future development of the town,” he said.

Tonight's meeting takes place at 8pm.