CONFIRMED: Roscommon's commercial rates to rise by 5pc next year

It has been confirmed commercial rates will increase by 5 per cent in Co Roscommon next year – the first rise in over 15 years.

Roscommon County Council proposed the increase at their budget meeting this morning.

It said it would raise €600,000 in extra income, which would go towards loan repayments for vital projects.

Most councillors backed the increase, but councillors Anthony Waldron, Nigel Dineen, Tony Ward and Leah Cull opposed it.

Independent councillor Anthony Waldron says it will force some businesses to close, as he told our reporter Eoghan Murphy.