The Mayor of Athlone is calling for land at Lissywollen in Athlone, currently used to house refugees in tents, to be returned to a greenfield site following a decision in the High Court. A statement from the Department of Integration to Shannonside FM news has confirmed that they do not intend defend the planning issues raised as part of a high court action brought by Councillor Paul Hogan. The challenge was brought over claims the Minister failed to adequately screen the project for potential environmental impacts following his signing of an order earlier this year.
Following a mention of the case in the High Court yesterday, it was stated that by Oisín Collins SC, for Cllr Hogan, "the case is being conceded" by the State and that "the development will be an unauthorized development". The Legal team for the State informed the court that they will take instruction from the Minister ahead of the next sitting on Thursday. Frankie Keena says the use of the site as refugee accommodation would have had wide ranging effects on local development plans. Speaking on Let's Talk, Councillor Keena says the land must now be zoned properly and used appropriately:
