There were no Disclosures of Conflict of Interest declared by Members.

·        Minutes of Boyle MD meeting on 18^th July 2025.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Tom Crosby

             SECONDED by Councillor Michéal Frain

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 18^th July, 2025.

There were no matters arising from previous minutes.

Mr. Eoghan O’Callaghan, Community Liaison Officer and Mr. Eoin Brockert, Project Manager gave a presentation to members on the EirGrid North Connacht 110Kv UGC Project progress ahead of launching the Community Fund in October.

The following issues were raised by Members:

·        Can any Sports Clubs near the line in Roscommon that would quality for the Fund? How will Fund be advertised?

·        Will existing overhead lines be reinforced?

·        Where will lines be installed after Ballaghaderreen?

·        How does the underground placement compare with the convention overhead method?

·        Any collaboration with ESB on the N5 bypass to install conduits along new route for future purpose?

·        Percentage of electricity from renewable resources?

·        Demand for battery storage facilities to store DC?

·        How long to completion

The following responses were given:

·        Clubs and community groups within 2Km of Ballaghaderreen can apply to Fund including the town of Ballaghaderreen. E O’Callaghan will email members notification of Fund Opening Date.  The Fund has been established by EirGrid to recognise the important role of local communities who are hosting this grid infrastructure and to acknowledge the temporary disruption which may be caused within proximity of the cable line during the construction phase of the project. The Fund will be released in three phases: when construction begins, mid-way through the project, and when the project is energised.

·        Existing overhead lines relate to the 38Kv ESB network not EIRGRID

·        EIRGRID Route after Ballaghaderreen – Tonroe to Flagford Station – R220 110Kv double poles and pylons.

·        Underground cabling is more expensive and not always possible due to ground conditions, e.g. rock, etc.  Locating site of breakdown of lines underground more challenging to repair than overhead lines.

·        There is no collaboration with N5 bypass.  EIRGRID do not do add on ducts without needs analysis and prior planning.

·        Half a gigawatt of the energy renewables going in. 84% from renewable, green resources.

·        Large demand for battery storage facilities with some being located close to the EIRGRID stations.

·        New initiatives coming on stream, e.g. district heating, data centres, etc. Data Centres require five times the power.

·        Completion estimated 2-3 years, will depend on Contractor.

·        If members have any further questions, to contact Eoghan O’Callaghan, Community Liaison Officer.

M5.25  Cllr Tom Crosby - Motion

That Roscommon County Council prioritise the immediate provision of a footpath and public lighting along Ballytoohey Road, which serves four large housing estates, numerous one-off houses, and provides a vital link between the village and the local national school. This matter has been raised for several years without progress, despite over €70,000 having been spent in 2003/2004 on the preparation of plans and related works. In the interests of road and pedestrian safety the Council now resolves to advance this project as a matter of urgency.

M6.25  Cllr. Sean Moylan - Motion

 I call on Roscommon Co. Co. to make every effort, to acquire the small parcel of land that is available free of charge beside Kilmore Graveyard, as soon as possible.

M7.25 Cllr. Leah Cull – Motion

I propose that Roscommon County Council undertake road safety measures on the R361 (Frenchpark road out of Boyle)

The increasing traffic flow and safety concerns expressed by local residents have highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures. This should include:

- ?A continuous white line marking outside Kingsland NS

- 50-kilometer signage at the appropriate location

- Speed indicator sign as you approach Silveroe Estate

Cllr. Sean Moylan read out the Motions and the Responses received.

M5.25  Cllr Tom Crosby - Motion

That Roscommon County Council prioritise the immediate provision of a footpath and public lighting along Ballytoohey Road, which serves four large housing estates, numerous one-off houses, and provides a vital link between the village and the local national school. This matter has been raised for several years without progress, despite over €70,000 having been spent in 20023/20024 on the preparation of plans and related works. In the interests of road and pedestrian safety the Council now resolves to advance this project as a matter of urgency.

Response:

Roscommon County Council engaged consultants to assist in progressing the Tarmonbarry Footpath link from the village to Whitehall National School along the L-1416 in 2022.  The Feasibility and Options Selection Report for the project was prepared by the consultants in 2023.  The project is with the National Transport Authority (NA) Phase 2: Concept Development and Options Selection, however, no funding was received in 2024 or 2025 to progress the project onto the preliminary design phase.

Members supported the motion and made the following points:

·        Footpaths should be a priority to facilitate families and the elderly.  In addition, footpaths needs on R368 across from the Westward Strokestown.

·        Strokestown Public Realm budget – any money left over should be spend on these footpaths.

·        Footpaths connecting housing estates to town/existing footpaths should be part of the whole development.

·        Appears installation of footpaths not a priority in the County and this should be queried further by members.

·        Similar concerns in Cootehall.  There are limitations on funding for footpaths.

·        When Active Travel Programme set up, it’s intention was for the development of the smaller towns and villages but focus appears to be on the large towns and installation of cycleways.  This needs to be looked at again.

·        The purpose of development charges includes funding for footpaths – where is this funding being directed.

·        RCC commended for installing footpaths at Forest View in Boyle funded from Active Travel Safety Scheme.

M6.25  Cllr. Sean Moylan - Motion

 I call on Roscommon Co. Co. to make every effort, to acquire the small parcel of land that is available free of charge beside Kilmore Graveyard, as soon as possible.

Response:

Roscommon Co. Council Asset Management Section is dealing with this and will meet with Area Staff on-site over the next few weeks.  The site in question had trial hole investigation works carried out last year and sheet rock is located less than one meter down.  This is not ideal and, as a result, the lands may not be suitable for burials as the rock would have to be removed and replaced with topsoil at considerable cost.

Members supported the motion and made the following points:

·        RCC should avail of the free site and be grateful the offer of free land.

·        Local people have offered to supply soil to fill over rock rather than rock being dug up.  Would be provided free of charge.  Elderly people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.25

Q2.25  Cllr Tom Crosby

Will the Director of Services inform the meeting of the total amount of development charges collected from the seven housing estates in Tarmonbarry Village?

Q3.25 Cllr. Sean Moylan

Do the council have any indication if the new N5 will be opened together, or will it be opened in sections as it becomes available, and if so any timeline as to when the first section will be open?

Q4.25 Cllr. Leah Cull

There was some discussion 2/3 years ago regarding the construction of a cycle way from Cootehall village to the national school, but it never materialised. Could you please inform me if there are any future plans for this?

Q5.25 Cllr. Leah Cull

I had a motion in some time ago regarding installing chevron signs at Strabragin NS Arigna R280 and the railway bridge on the R294 Gurteen road in Boyle - Is there any update on this?

Cllr. Sean Moylan read out the Qustions and response received as follows.

Q2.25  Cllr Tom Crosby

Will the Director of Services inform the meeting of the total amount of development charges collected from the seven housing estates in Tarmonbarry Village?

Response:

Response to question to be deferred until the next meeting as the 7 estates concerned need to be identified.

Q3.25 Cllr. Sean Moylan

Do the council have any indication if the new N5 will be opened together, or will it be opened in sections as it becomes available, and if so any timeline as to when the first section will be open?

Response:

The N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge road project construction contract, awarded in Oct. 2023 has a substantial completion date of Oct. 2027. Works are progressing well and in full accordance with the Contractor’s current construction programme. It should be noted that the construction programme is primarily controlled by the Contractor and is dictated by his specific construction methodology albeit subject to compliance with the terms of the Contract.  

There is currently no provision for sectional completion under the construction contract, however, should the Contractor have a section or sections of the project completed ahead of the overall specified completion date, Roscommon County Council may consider taking over any such section subject to: -

• A formal request or proposal to do so being submitted by the Contractor;
• The terms of any such proposal being acceptable to Roscommon County Council and its advisors;
• All works for that section or sections being fully completed in accordance with the Contract;
• The formal agreement and adoption of any necessary contractual amendments to the current Contract;
• All relevant legal requirements being met following consultation with and advice from the Council’s Legal Advisors;
• The necessary approval of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII); and
• Any proposed temporary traffic management proposals and associated temporary works being accepted by Roscommon County Council.

It should be noted that to date, two elements of the overall project scope are now open to public traffic under temporary traffic management arrangements with reduced speed limits namely, a 1km section the R368 Regional Road (opened in December 2024) and a 2km section of the N61 including 2 new roundabout junctions (opened in September 2025). Based on current progress it is considered likely that other sections may be available in advance of the overall specified completion date. However, at this stage it is too early to speculate whether all the above conditions can or will be met.

Q4.25 Cllr. Leah Cull

There was some discussion 2/3 years ago regarding the construction of a cycle way from Cootehall village to the national school, but it never materialised. Could you please inform me if there are any future plans for this?

Response:

 There are currently no plans to develop Active Travel infrastructure linking the village of Cootehall to St. Michael's & St. Patrick's National school. 

The Active Travel Team are currently progressing a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) scheme focusing on the front of St. Michael's & St.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.25

A vote of sympathy was expressed to the family of Barry Feely, Woodenbridge Road, Boyle who passed away on 15^th September 2025.

A vote of sympathy was expressed to the family of Geraldine Gannon, Oakfield, Strokestown who passed away tragically on 16^th September 2025 and best wishes to her sister Rita for a full recovery.

A vote of sympathy was expressed to the family of Carol Loftus, Davitt Place, Swinford and formerly Cloonshanville, Frenchpark who passed away on 3^rd September 2025.

A vote of congratulations was expressed for Mr. Ronan Kelly, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon on his new role as the lead dancer with Riverdance.

Civic Reception

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne

             SECONDED by Councillor Leah Cull

It was AGREED to honour Elphin Community Games gold in finals U-13 – drama The return of the wanderer

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne

             SECONDED by Councillor Michéal Frain

It was AGREED to honour Jujitzu Club Elphin Tsskia Int Champion

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne

             SECONDED by Councillor Sean Moylan

It was AGREED to honour Elphin Community College Junk Kouture Regional Final Helix to World Championships 2025 – Lucia Liutia???

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leah Cull

             SECONDED by Councillor Valerie Byrne

It was AGREED to honour Eddie Alphin O’Hagin & Olivia Val won u-10 & 1-16 Irish Dancing Word Champ 2025

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Sean Moylan

             SECONDED by Councillor Valerie Byrne

It was AGREED to honour Ed Paye who won Race Across Wales recently and  previously came second in Race across Scotland.

Members raised the following issues:

• Contract for new library in Boyle signed today 19^th September – C&E Higgins awarded contract.
• Contract for Strokestown Public Realm Scheme signed earlier in week – Tower Construction awarded contract.
• Is there funding in place for roads off the new N5 for consequential damage during works before N5 project opens.
• Compliments to Ballaghaderreen Library which is now a fabulous facility for the local community.
• Good luck wishes for the Hot Air Balloon Championship in Lough Key Forest Park this weekend and special thanks to Ciaran Sheerin for his work in this.

Response:

Mr. Ivor Kilcline stated that a review of the condition of affected roads adjacent to the N5 by TII and NRRO will be carried out.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Michéal Frain

             SECONDED by Councillor Sean Moylan

It was AGREED to invite the Boyle Childcare Group to the next meeting of the Boyle MD to give a presentation to members.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne

             SECONDED by Councillor Sean Moylan

It was AGREED to put a proposal to the Plenary Meeting regarding reopening of Elphin Library.