The following disclosures of conflict of interest with regards to MD funding were noted:

Cllr L Fallon       -        Rahara Tidy Towns

Cllr D Connolly  -        St Ciarans Community Centre, Castlecoote

Cllr V Duffy        -        Moore Community Centre

Cllr T Ward        -        St Brigids Handball Club

·        Minutes of Meeting held on 25^th  March, 2025.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr J Keogh welcomed everyone to the meeting.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr V Duffy

It was AGREED by all the Members to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 25^th March, 2025.

Mary Grier, Senior Planner along with Brian Farragher, Senior Executive Planner gave an update on the Athlone Joint Urban Area Plan. The  internal draft plan is envisaged to be completed by December 2025. Informal engagements with Members from both Councils will take place at various stages in the preparation of the Plan.

The Members thanked them for their presentation. They welcomed the progression of the Plan with great potential for development in Monksland and surrounding areas.

Concerns were raised by the Members, concerning the predicted growth in population.  It was outlined that there will be a greater need for more retail outlets in Monksland area. Members also noted the urgent need to develop road infrastructure to accommodate the increased volume of traffic predicted for Monksland.

Members also inquired if they could be informed in advance if the voting rights were equal for Roscommon County Council and Westmeath County Council Members for Part 8 process.

No Matters arising .

Eighteen applications received funding from the Athlone MD funding 2025, as outlined on the table below.

With regard to the application by St. John’s Community Centre,the Athlone MD Members noted that there are plans to introduce a National Scheme for the provision of generators to community groups. This scheme is intended to support community groups in the provision of community hubs in the event of emergency situations, such as that experienced during Storm Eowyn. Where this scheme does not come to fruition within the next 12 months the Athlone MD Members recommend that this application is resubmitted for consideration for the 2026 Athlone MD Fund where it will be given priority.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

It was AGREED by all the Members, should the application by St. John’s Community Centre for a generator be resubmitted for consideration for the 2026 Athlone MD Fund, it will be given priority.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members that the Guidelines for MD funding is not clear enough and needs to be revised for the coming year. It was agreed to make a submission to the Plenary meeting in this regard early next year.

The following allocations were unanimously agreed:

There were two Notice of Motions for discussion.

I call this Municipal District to abandon the Roads Programme 2025 to address the damage done to the roads across the region by Storm Eowyn. 

We must allow the local engineers and supervisors to address the roads most in need following storm damage before returning to the 2025 road programme.

Cllr. D Connolly withdrew his Notice of Motion, he thanked the Council for the works carried out which has dealt with the matter.

"I am calling on Roscommon County Council to review road safety outside of St Ronan's Primary School, Taughmaconnell, to identify what measures can be put in place to increase safety at the school due to the volume and speed of traffic on the road."

"I am calling on Roscommon County Council to review road safety outside of St Ronan's Primary School, Taughmaconnell, to identify what measures can be put in place to increase safety at the school due to the volume and speed of traffic on the road."

REPLY:

The Safe Routes to School Programme aims to improve safety at school gates and increase active travel to schools. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme launched in March 2021 and all schools in Ireland were invited to apply to take part. St. Ronan’s Primary School did not apply at that time.

Athlone MD is happy to meet with the principal of the school to discuss any low-cost proposals that could be implemented outside of the SRTS Programme. Any proposals would be subject to the availability of budget and resources.

Cllr E Kelly thanked the Members for their support.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

It was AGREED by all the Members to progress discussions with the Principal of St. Ronan’s N.S. to see what measures can be taken to help alleviate the issue.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a very dangerous junction at Curraghboy. This junction is situated on the Curraghboy-Athlone road R362.  On approaching the junction travelling from Kilcar on L2016-0 and upon turning right for Athlone, there is no visible view of oncoming traffic and this is extremely dangerous. I am calling on Roscommon County Council to include this extremely dangerous junction in the Local safety improvement scheme for 2025.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a very dangerous junction at Curraghboy. This junction is situated on the Curraghboy-Athlone Road R362.  On approaching the junction travelling from Kilcar on L2016-0 and upon turning right for Athlone, there is no visible view of oncoming traffic and this is extremely dangerous. I am calling on Roscommon County Council to include this extremely dangerous junction in the Local safety improvement scheme for 2025.”

REPLY:

The 2025 Low-Cost Safety Scheme is closed for applications and funding has been allocated.  Athlone MD will consider applying for a Low Cost Safety Scheme Application, for 2026, for the junction of the R-362 / L-7542 at Curraghboy to improve sightlines towards Athlone at this junction. It is noted that any scheme at this location will require the co-operation of local landowners.

Cllr. T Ward thanked the Members for their support of the Motion.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

It was AGREED by the Members that this LCSS be given priority for 2026 Applications.

There was one question for noting.

Has there been any progress made on investigating the possibility of a bye law to extend the 50km speed limit from Brideswell village out towards Cam Community Centre? 

Has there been any progress made on investigating the possibility of a bye law to extend the 50km speed limit from Brideswell village out towards Cam Community Centre? 

REPLY:

The proposal to extend the 50km speed limit in Brideswell to the Cam Community Centre will be considered in conjunction with Phase 2 of the National Speed Limit Review.

We are currently awaiting specific guidance on the implementation of Phase 2 of the Speed Limit Review to be issued by the Department of Transport.

Phase 2 of the Speed Limit Review will include the following recommendations together with any specific locations to be reviewed, including the proposal at Brideswell.

• National Secondary Road default changes to 80 km/h (currently 100 km/h)
• Urban Roads are generally reduced to 30 km/h (strategic arterial roads may be higher)

The review of speed limits will be in undertaken in accordance with the Guidance for Setting Speed Limits in Ireland (https://www.speedlimits.ie/)

I would like to call on Roscommon County Council to honour the Dominic GAA Senior Scór Team at the next Civic Reception.  This team were the over all winners in the All-Ireland Senior Scór Drama Competition 2025. Members of the Team include : Ann Gillespie, Breege Kenny, Caroline Dervan, Cathy Dervan, Noel Dervan, Laura Leonard, Steven Murphy, Mary Ann Philips, Sylvia Kilcline , Thomas Hurley

Proposed by:            Cllr L Fallon

Seconded by:Cllr D Connolly

It was AGREED by all the Members to honour the Dominic Senior Scór team at the next Civic Reception

No Votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

Members discussed Local Area Plan for Creagh which had not progressed due to the economic downturn in 2008. The Members agreed that now is the appropriate time to engage with Galway County Council .  The LAP for Ballinasloe is due to be revised in 2028.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr V Duffy

It was AGREED by all the Members to request the Planning Department of Roscommon County Council to communicate with Galway County Council, with a view to working towards a joint plan to ensure Creagh is included in the Development Plan for Ballinasloe which is due to be revised in 2028.

Cllr J Keogh thanked the Staff of Roscommon County Council and his fellow Members for their co-operation and efforts over the last year during his term as Cathaoirleach.