Decisions on pub IPAS plans for Laois village due in August

The premises is located on Mary Street, Durrow.

placeholder image — The premises is located on Mary Street, Durrow.

Applications to convert two pubs for IPAS have met strong local opposition and opponents are due to meet again in Durrow on Monday

An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to make a final decision in relation to the proposed conversion of two Durrow pubs for IPAS use in August.

The two separate planning applications, which were conditionally approved by Laois County Council in March this year, have been appealed by local groups and residents. Laois TD Brian Stanley and Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley are also listed as Observers in both appeals.

Lennon's Bar and Peadar’s Bar, both located on Mary Street in Durrow, are owned by publican Marc Lennon. He has applied for permission to convert the two bars to accommodate people seeking international protection under the IPAS(International Protection Accommodation Services) system.

According to documents lodged with the planning files, the pubs would each have a 30 bed capacity if the plans are approved. The documents state that the proposal would add to the population of Durrow and bring more vitality by allowing for the sustainable growth of the village centre.

However, the plans have caused concern among many residents. When the planning applications initially went to Laois County Council, a series of well attended public meetings were held in Durrow with a view to opposing the plans.

Residents say the village, which according to the 2022 Census has a population of 946, doesn’t have the facilities to accommodate so many people. They expressed concern about traffic, public transport, medical and policing facilities in the village. Each of the planning applications attracted around 140 submissions at council planning stage, with the vast majority expressing concerns over the proposals.

A further public meeting took place in Durrow after the planning applications secured approval in March this year. Organisers then set up an online funding page to help pay for the services of a planning consultant who could assist with objections to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Durrow Community Council set up the funding page which to date has secured donations of over €9,500 of its €15,000 target.

Laois TDs Sean Fleming and Brian Stanley have both stated that even if the plans were approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, the pubs would need further approval from the Department of Justice before they could become registered IPAS facilities.

Appeals against both of the plans were lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála on April 17.

Peadar’s Bar was appealed by Durrow Community Council, Sean and Anne Conroy, Shane Lawlor and Durrow Community Forum. All except Sean and Anne Conroy also appealed the plans for Lennon’s Bar and Brian Stanley and Caroline Dwane Stanley are listed as Observes in both appeals. An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to make a final decision on the two planning applications by August 20, 2026.

Meanwhile, Durrow Community Council has organised an information meeting in order to discuss the procedures for Observations on already submitted appeals. The meeting is being held in the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow on Monday, May 11 at 7.30pm.