'Final push' public meeting over IPAS plans for Laois village

Durrow Community Council is arranging a third public meeting as part of its campaign of opposition to two planned IPAS centres in the village. 

Chair of the Community Council Ethel Dunphy has issued letters to local Councillors calling on them to attend the upcoming meeting at the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow on August 11 at a time yet to be confirmed. 

She said the second public meeting,  held in the village last Monday, was very well attended and Independent TD Brian Stanley was there to offer his support. 

The second meeting was held to issue information packs with templates and checklists for people who intend to make submissions to Laois County Council regarding the two planning applications for IPAS(International Protection Accommodation Service) centres at Peader’s Bar and Lennon’s bar on Mary Street in the village. 

Ms Dunphy described the next meeting as “the final push” before the deadline for submissions on the planning applications on August 13. She is calling on all of the local public representatives to attend the meeting in Durrow. 

Secretary of Durrow Community Council Mary Monahan agreed that the second meeting had been a success. “We had a nice few in and out all night picking up information and submission forms,” she explained. 

A public meeting on Monday, July 21 attracted up to 300 people and was attended by Councillors James Kelly, John King and Ollie Clooney. Fianna Fail Deputy Sean Fleming was also present on the night. 

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Durrow Community Council has already made submissions in relation to the planning applications. They have objected to the plans due to, among other things, the lack of community consultation and the scale and suitability of the development.