Horan's Pork Shop on Church Street said the shop is no longer viable due to changes in trade and in Athlone as a town.

In 2021, the council received an offer of €350,000 from the Office of Public Works to defend flooding in Bogganfin. which borders Westmeath.

A well-publicised NTA report last year found there was no State obligation to replace an Aircoach sevice between Athlone and Ballinasloe.

Over 60 business people have contacted Longford County Council in relation to potential disruption.

The incident occurred at around 10.35pm.

Both councillors and local authority staff paid moving tributes to the south Roscommon man at today's meeting.

Independent councillor Paul Hogan was first elected to the council in 2004 at the age of 21 and had the distinction of being the youngest Mayor of Athlone.

It's expected that the site will be ready for the first group of approximately 100 people five to six weeks after the works begin.