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

·        Minutes of Boyle MD meeting on Friday 23^rd January 2026

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Micheál Frain

             SECONDED by Councillor Leah Cull

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 23^rd January 2026.

There were no matters arising.

Mr. Ivor Kilcline introduced the Programme and each Area Engineer gave details of the Programme pertaining to their Area.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Sean Moylan

             SECONDED by Councillor Micheál Frain

It was AGREED that the Boyle Municipal District Works Scheme 2026 as part of the Schedule of Municipal District Works be ADOPTED.

The following issues were raised:

·        The challenge to the Roads Programme due to price increases in fuel and other world events affecting cost of materials.  Further decisions re programme completion will be made towards end of year and based on budgets available.

·        Members raised concerns regarding individual roads in their area and these were noted by the Area Engineers.

Mr. Ivor Kilcline informed the members that the budget allocated to Boyle MD for Public Realm has been reduced by €30K, from €210k to €180k i.e. €60k per Area.

Each Area Engineer went through the Projects proposed for 2026 in their Area and noted members comments, etc.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne

             SECONDED by Councillor Micheál Frain

It was AGREED to adopt the Public Realm Schedule of Works 2026 for the Boyle MD.

Members raised the following issues:

·        Members welcomed the Public Realm projects listed for 2026, and this scheme will have more significance once the public realm projects are completed in the MD namely Ballaghaderreen & Strokestown.

·        Concerns regarding the reduction of the Public Realm budget as members were not aware of this.  All agreed that budget should not have been reduced without the Members’ agreement.  Members will raise this under AOB at the next Plenary Meeting.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Micheál Frain

             SECONDED by Councillor Sean Moylan

It was AGREED that Cllr. Liam Callaghan would raise the Public Realm Budget reduction at the next CPG meeting.

I call on Roscommon County Council to raise the excising pedestrian crossings in Elphin Keadue, Ballyfarnon, and Abbeytown in Boyle to the same level as the adjoining footpaths. Bringing crossings up to footpath level will greatly assist people with mobility challenges, wheelchair users, parents with buggies, and older residents in crossing the road safely and independently.  In addition, raised pedestrian crossings act as effective traffic-calming measures, helping to slow down speeding vehicles and improve overall road safety in our towns and villages.  This is a practical, inclusive, and safety-focused improvement that would benefit the entire community.

MB1.26 Cllr Sean Moylan:  I call on Roscommon County Council to raise the excising pedestrian crossings in Elphin Keadue, Ballyfarnon, and Abbeytown in Boyle to the same level as the adjoining footpaths. Bringing crossings up to footpath level will greatly assist people with mobility challenges, wheelchair users, parents with buggies, and older residents in crossing the road safely and independently.  In addition, raised pedestrian crossings act as effective traffic-calming measures, helping to slow down speeding vehicles and improve overall road safety in our towns and villages.  This is a practical, inclusive, and safety-focused improvement that would benefit the entire community.

Response

The primary function of a controlled crossing is to provide a safe mechanism for pedestrians, particularly vulnerable road users to cross the street. Controlled crossing points can be at grade or can be a raised crossing. A raised crossing is not necessarily intended as a traffic calming measure as to do so may put pedestrians at greater risk in some situations. All existing locations were chosen based on user needs and some design challenges were presented at each location. Boyle MD and Road Design Safety Section will review the proposals and cost out the works required at each location.

Members supported the motion and made the following points:

·        Pedestrain crossings should be same height as footpaths not road

·        Ballyfarnon pedestrian crossing at the blind spot and should be moved.

·        Pedestrian crossings should be reviewed in all the towns and villages.

Mr. Ivor Kilcline stated that speed ramps cause problems with vehicles, such as ambulances, etc.  Retrofit is not simple with significant costs involved.  Call for a whole redesign, layout, etc.  Car parking in villages can be impacted by redesign of pedestrian crossings and speed ramps.  Speed Limits Review coming up soon.

A vote of congratulations was proposed for St. Nathy’s football team who participated in the All-Ireland Final.  Credit is due to their family and county.

A vote of congratulations was proposed Scoil Mhuire Strokestown who achieved remarkable success in the 2026 Gael Linn All-Ireland Senior Irish debating competition (Abair), winning second prize in the final on March 25, 2026, in Dublin.

A vote of sympathy was proposed to Cllr. Micheál Frain, and his family on the passing of his mother-in-law, Olive Dowd on 19^th February 2026 and his father-in-law, Tim Dowd who passed away on 4^th March 2026.

A vote of sympathy was proposed to the family of John Burke, Riversdale, Knockvicar who passed away on 9^th March 2026. 

There were no nominations for the Civic Reception.  Cllrs. Byrne & Cull will propose nominations at the next meeting.

·        Response from NTA

·        Letter from Sligo Co Co

Members noted correspondence received from NTA in response to Cllr. Cull’s nomination at January’s meeting and from Sligo Co. Council regarding the Sligo railway line to Longford.

The following issues were raised:

·       Reducing speed limit on R370 between Cortober and Croghan.  Reduction from 60km/h to 50km/h.  Cllr. Frain stated that this is with the SPC for presenting to the Plenary Meeting.

·       Regular Updates to members on various schemes and projects in the Boyle MD, e.g. Estates Taken in Charge, roads programme contracts, tenders awarded, safety schemes, graveyard works, etc.

The opening of section of N5 at Portahard to Ballinagare by Minister for Transport, Mr. Darragh O’Brien, will take place on Thursday at entrance to the Douglas Hyde Centre. All members invited.