Public lighting and safer town centres

Several public lighting and community safety measure projects are advancing across both Carrickmacross and Castleblayney, elected members were informed when they met for their December meeting.

In was confirmed to Fianna Fáil's PJ O’Hanlon that long-awaited public lighting upgrades on Main Street, Carrickmacross, will commence in early January 2026, following a deliberate pause to avoid disruption during the festive season.

The question was asked that for the next MD meeting the council might be able to provide an update concerning the need for additional street lighting connecting the town of Carrickmacross and the recently reopened Nuremore Hotel.

Fine Gael's Peter Conlan stated that the infrastructure was there from a time when the footpath was first installed, but funding would be necessary to get such a project over the line.

Sinn Féin's Noel Keelan commended the council for cutting back trees at the entrance to Deery Terrace in Inniskeen.

On community CCTV meanwhile, Aidan Campbell (FG) and other councillors were advised at the meeting that Carrickmacross Community CCTV has now received formal approval, with contractors expected to be appointed in early 2026 to carry out enabling works.

In Castleblayney, elected members were told that progress is hopeful, after the project was hit with a delay arising from updated Garda security requirements regarding the Lough Muckno Park storage location.

Senior Engineer for the MD, Damien Thornton, told local councillors that the local authority is working with An Garda Síochána to resolve the issue, with the aim of moving the scheme forward in January 2026.