Meeting called over Laois IPAS planning approval

A public meeting is due to take place in Durrow this evening after planning applications to use two pubs in the town for IPAS accommodation were approved. 

Marc Lennon was granted permission to convert Lennon’s Bar and guesthouse for use as IPAS accommodation. He was also granted retention planning permission to convert Peadar’s Bar for the same purpose. 

Laois County Council approved both applications for the bars on Mary Street in Durrow subject to 15 conditions. Peadar’s Bar aims to house 30 people in 11 bedrooms, including a number of Ukrainians who are currently residing there. Lennons Bar also aims to house 30 people in 10 bedrooms. 

The approved planning applications attracted over 280 submissions at planning stage and are now likely to be appealed to An Comisiun Pleanala. The properties will also need to apply to the Department of Justice for permission to house International Protection Accommodation Service(IPAS) applicants. 

Laois TDs Brian Stanley and Sean Fleming were among those who lodged submissions opposing the plans. 

In his submission, Deputy Fleming asked the Council to consider the cumulative effect of the two developments on the village. He also said the wording of the application was misleading as approval doesn’t automatically mean the building can be used to house those seeking asylum.  

“I have been in direct contact with the senior official in the Department of Justice over the Integration Section who has confirmed directly on Monday 11th August 2025 that, no application has been received in respect of an IPAS centre in Durrow nor is there any decision to grant one and in the event of planning permission being granted it does not mean that the Department will engage in a contract for an IPAS centre with the owner of these buildings,” Dep Fleming wrote at the time.

Laois TD Brian Stanley and Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley lodged a joint submission raising concerns about the plans. They said: “The Applicant states that the purpose of these applications and change of use is to cater for "IPAS Centres." For clarity, the Department of Justice and Home Affairs have stated quite categorically both verbally and in writing that they are not seeking any IPAS accommodation in this area. We therefore contend that these applications may be invalid.”

A planning report compiled and submitted on behalf of Mr Lennon in relation to Lennon's Bar states that: “It is noted that the property has remained vacant since permission was granted for guesthouse/hotel use in 2023. It is considered that allowing this proposed use will allow the reuse of this now vacant public house located in a town centre location.”

“The subject property is currently vacant and requires a modification of the provisionally permitted Guesthouse/Hostel to permit the accommodation of the IPAS residents. In terms of adding vitality and viability to the Village, it is considered that what is proposed is very much a low-density scheme that will provide 30 no. bed spaces for residents within this building, thus adding to the population of the town and bringing more vitality by allowing for the sustainable growth of the village centre. The location of this accommodation in the town centre allows for the positive use of a vacant building with a permitted residential/guesthouse/Hostel use presently. The location allows for residents to avail of all the local services, such as schools, church, convenience services,” the Planner states.

In Laois County Council’s planning report the applicant is asked if IPAS contracts are in place. The applicant replied and said it was their understanding that planning was required before they could apply. 

Laois County Council’s planner stated that “it is considered that the proposed development would be compliant with the provisions of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting on Monday, March 30, Dep Fleming said he was “disappointed” in Laois County Council and he was going to appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála. 

He said the Council didn’t address the issue of parking for the residents and staff at the properties. According to Dep Fleming, if someone was looking to provide accommodation “the first question is where are you providing the parking and that wasn’t even addressed”.  

“I am going to the meeting tonight. It is about facilities and traffic and these issues in the town”, said Dep Fleming. He doesn’t believe the accommodation is needed and said there was capacity in the existing IPAS system. 

That opinion was echoed by Laois TD Brian Stanley. He said there was ample capacity in the system at present and the government is moving away from small private IPAS accommodation providers. “What they want is large centres that are State owned,” he said. 

Dep Stanley said Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan told him that 81 percent of IPAS  applicants are failing the first test and there was a need to speed up the processing system for the sake of genuine applicants. 

“Putting people into old pubs here and there all over the country is not the way to handle it(IPAS),” he insisted.  

Local Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney said news of the approvals were met with ‘shock’ in Durrow. 

“We are going to have a meeting early next week. We are awful disappointed,” said Cllr Clooney. 

He said a “record number” of people had turned up at public meetings opposing the plans last year and around 300 submissions had been made to Laois County Council “and they were all ignored”.  Cllr Clooney said each submission had cost €20 and people were very disappointed but determined to continue opposing the plans.

“We only lost the first round that is all and we will go as far as it goes,” he said. 

Cllr Clooney said he was confident that the people of Durrow would continue to oppose the plans. 

Fine Gael Cllr John King said he had opposed the plans along with other Councillors. However, he stated that Rathdowney had benefitted from having Ukrainians move into the area in modular housing. He said they were very helpful and if they weren’t there,  “Rathdowney would be a much quieter town than what it is”. 

Durrow Community Council organised a public meeting in the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow on Monday, March 30 at 8pm.  They have invited public representatives and all those who made submissions to attend the meeting.