Carrick-on-Shannon

Minister's response on new school for Carrick-on-Shannon disappoints council

Council received response from Minister for Education regarding a new school for Carrick-on-Shannon. Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte expressed disappointment, stating the town urgently needs a new school and that the current two-campus arrangement poses health, fire and road safety risks. All members unanimously supported her comments that the response was inadequate.

Decision: Correspondence noted; all members agreed the response was insufficient

Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte

Motion on river channel blockages causing floods in Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village

Cllr Cormac Flynn moved regarding channel blockages between Drumsna and Jamestown bridges causing significant flooding in Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village, and called for steps to seek OPW Minor Works Scheme funding for scrub clearance. The Director of Services reported ongoing dialogue with the Carrick-on-Shannon Flood Action Group, Roscommon County Council and OPW; an application is...

Decision: Motion agreed; Minor Works Scheme application to be submitted February 2026 or when new guidelines available; council to pursue all available funding; major flood relief schemes to proceed separately

Cllr Cormac Flynn, Cllr Maeve Reynolds

Motion to remove footpaths on Carrick-on-Shannon bridge and widen carriageway

Cllr Cormac Flynn moved to request TII remove footpaths on the main bridge in Carrick-on-Shannon and replace with narrow parapet to widen the bridge and reduce delays for heavy goods vehicles. The Roads report explained the footpaths function as protective buffers containing telecom, water and other utilities and cannot be removed. Ms. Emma Donohoe confirmed similar motions have been raised...

Decision: Motion agreed; TII to be contacted with alternative suggestion of raising road level to widen carriageway while allowing barriers at parapet

Cllr Cormac Flynn, Cllr Sean McGowan, Cllr Enda Stenson

Civic reception planned for Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns national winners

Ms Mary Quinn advised that a Civic Reception will be held to recognise Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns' winning of the National Tidy Towns Competition. The reception is scheduled for Thursday 29 January 2026 at 7pm.

Decision: Civic reception to be held 29 January 2026 at 7pm in honour of Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns

Leitrim County Council adopts Draft Budget 2026 with 5% rates increase

The Council adopted the Draft Budget for the financial year ending 31 December 2026, totalling €64.1m (an increase of nearly €4m on 2025). The budget includes a 5% increase in the Annual Rate on Valuation to fund the ambitious Capital Investment Programme. Key queries from members concerned alternative income sources, commercial rates impact on traders, greenway maintenance, fire service...

Decision: Budget adopted; Annual Rate on Valuation of 5% increase approved

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, Cllr Sean McGowan, Cllr Gary Prior, Cllr James Gilmartin, Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte, Cllr Eddie Mitchell

Capital Investment Programme 2026-2031 adopted; €650m investment planned with €27.8m local match funding

The Council adopted the Capital Investment Programme covering 2026-2031 (a 6-year projection), providing for €650m total investment across housing, roads, flood relief, economic development, recreation, environmental protection and corporate facilities. The programme requires €27.8m in local match funding over its lifespan. Notable achievements include Carrick-on-Shannon's 2025 National Tidy...

Decision: Capital Investment Programme 2026-2031 adopted

Cllr Sean McGowan, Cllr James Gilmartin

Accessibility audit for Carrick-on-Shannon town

Councillor Cormac Flynn requested a comprehensive accessibility audit in Carrick-on-Shannon with a view to extending to all towns in the municipal district. The council reported that walkability audits were carried out in 2024 in Carrick Train Station and earlier in other towns, with 2026 audits planned for Dromahair and Carrigallen. Officers confirmed the last Carrick audit was in 2019 and...

Decision: All members supported the motion. Council will prioritise new audits in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill, and will liaise with Access Earth CEO Matthew McCann regarding accessibility mapping of parking facilities.

Councillor Cormac Flynn, Councillor Irene Guckian Rabbitte, Councillor Maeve Reynolds

Waterways Ireland pollution monitoring for boat/cruiser sewage

Councillor Sean McGowan raised concerns about potential pollution from boat and cruiser traffic on the Shannon during Easter to October season, with boats potentially not using designated pump-out stations at Leitrim Village, Carrick-on-Shannon and Dromod. He questioned responsibility for monitoring facility usage and holding tank compliance. The council will contact Waterways Ireland requesting...

Decision: Correspondence will issue to Waterways Ireland requesting their cooperation in monitoring sewage disposal practices and pump-out station usage.

Councillor Sean McGowan, Councillor Paddy Farrell, Councillor Irene Guckian Rabbitte

New school development in Carrick-on-Shannon secured

Correspondence regarding a new school in Carrick-on-Shannon was discussed. Councillor Irene Guckian Rabbitte queried whether education department correspondence had been received. Councillor Maeve Reynolds reported that a meeting involving Deputies Scanlon, Feighan and Harkin, Scoil Mhuire representatives, and Minister Helen McEntee took place, with commitment given to securing lands for the...

Decision: Commitment has been secured from government representatives regarding land provision for new school. Next steps involve discussions with landowners to progress the matter further.

Councillor Irene Guckian Rabbitte, Councillor Maeve Reynolds

Presidential Election nomination of Maria Steen defeated

Councillor Mary Bohan proposed that Leitrim County Council nominate Maria Steen as a candidate for the 2025 Presidential Election, emphasising her qualifications and the council's democratic responsibility. The motion was seconded by Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte. Opposition arose from Cllr Róisin Kenny, who cited Ms Steen's association with the Iona Institute and conservative views, arguing the...

Decision: Motion defeated by vote (7 in favour, 9 against, 1 abstention). Maria Steen will not be nominated by Leitrim County Council.

Cllr Mary Bohan, Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte, Cllr Justin Warnock, Cllr Róisin Kenny, Cllr Eddie Mitchell, Cllr Paddy Farrell

Presidential candidate presentations to Leitrim County Council

Leitrim County Council held a special meeting to receive presentations from potential presidential candidates. Eleven candidates presented in person or via video link, including Abbas Ali O'Shea, Gearoid Duffy, Aidan Harrington, Charlie Keddy, Seana Kerr, Searlait Ni Chianáin, Keith McGrory, Lorna McCormack, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Gerben Uunk, and Dr Cora Stack. A procedural...

Decision: All candidate presentations received. Cllr Enda McGloin proposed that a review of the procedure for receiving potential presidential nominations be undertaken in 2026 and incorporated into Standing Orders, which was seconded by Cllr Gary Prior and agreed. A Notice of Motion procedure was established for nomination decisions, with a Special Meeting tentatively scheduled for 22 September 2025 at 2pm.

Cllr Sean McGowan, Cllr Mary Bohan, Cllr Enda McGloin, Cllr Brendan Barry, Cllr Padraig Fallon, Cllr James Gilmartin

Restore full library service in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill

Cllr Maeve Reynolds raised concerns about reduced library opening hours in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill due to staff shortages, limiting access and preventing community groups from meeting. The council acknowledged the issue and reported that ongoing recruitment campaigns had been unsuccessful but a new campaign is underway aimed at establishing panels to stabilise staffing. All members...

Decision: Council committed to restoring full library services as soon as possible; current recruitment campaign ongoing

Cllr Maeve Reynolds

Vacant site at Dun an Rí, Carrick-on-Shannon

Cllr Cormac Flynn raised concerns about a vacant site at Dun an Rí, Carrick-on-Shannon, originally intended for a crèche as part of a housing development (planning ref. P04/61) but never developed. The site has since fallen into dereliction with illegal dumping and presents child safety concerns. The planning permission expired in 2004, the developer company was dissolved in 2013, and the site...

Decision: Planning Department and Vacant Homes Officer to engage with registered landowners to request removal of waste and enquire about future intentions

Cllr Cormac Flynn

Adoption of Draft Budget 2025 with 5% rates increase

Leitrim County Council adopted the 2025 budget, which includes a 5% increase in the Annual Rate of Valuation (ARV). The budget was framed within the Council's five-year corporate plan and strategic capital investment programme, totalling €530m over its lifetime with €25.3m local match-funding required. Key service divisions were presented including Housing (11% increase in maintenance, reduced...

Decision: Adopted the Budget 2025 with Annual Rate on Valuation of 0.2558, providing for a 5% increase in rates to support the capital investment programme including the Shannonside Recreational Centre, new Carrick-on-Shannon library, and South Leitrim Greenway.

Councillor Des Guckian, Councillor Cormac Flynn

Capital Investment Programme 2025-2030 adopted

Council adopted the six-year Capital Investment Programme 2025-2030, totalling €530m investment with €25.3m local match-funding required. Programme carries forward projects in delivery, design, or development phase across social housing, roads, land drainage/flood relief, economic development, recreation, environment, and corporate facilities. Councillor Des Guckian criticised the housing...

Decision: Adopted Capital Investment Programme 2025-2030.

Councillor Des Guckian