'Who is ripping us off now?' Laois Councillor wants to know
Cllr Ollie Clooney raised the issue at a meeting of Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District
Ballacolla is the only small village in the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick District not to get welcome signs, a Council meeting was told.
Councillor Ollie Clooney asked in motion “that this Council provide new welcome signs on the four approach roads into Ballacolla.”
In a written response, the Council said “the Area Office does not have the budget for this work in 2026. The provision of these signs will be considered in 2027.”
Cllr Clooney was very disappointed with the reply. “All the little villages are done and Ballacolla left out,” he said. “You may find it(the money) somewhere,” he remarked.
Cllr John King seconded the motion and said the signage has to be brought to Ballacolla.
That was a sentiment supported by Cllr Conor Bergin who said “there is four roads going into Ballacolla, there should be one on every road.”
Cllr Clooney asked how much the signage would cost for four signs.
Senior Executive Engineer Rory O’Callaghan said between €10,000 and €12,000.
“I don’t believe it. Who is ripping us off now?” asked Cllr Clooney.
“The cheapest contractor,” replied Mr O’Callaghan.
“Well I tell you one thing it is a rip off, an out and out rip off,” said Cllr Clooney.
The issue was discussed during the October meeting of Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.