Monaghan MD looking for playground improvement

Improving play facilities for children in north Monaghan formed the subject of two motions adopted at the June meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District.

A proposal by Cllr Pauric Clerkin (FG) that Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary dedicate funding to upgrade and improve playground facilities across the MD area was unanimously adopted.

However, Cathaoirleach Alan Johnston (FG) voted against a proposal moved at the conclusion of the meeting under “any other business” by Cllr Bronagh McAree (SF) that monies from the MD’s General Municipal Allocation (GMA) for 2026 be used to upgrade playgrounds and provide new ones in areas of north Monaghan currently lacking them.

Although Cllr McAree’s proposal was adopted on a show of hands, the Cathaoirleach made his opposition clear, stating that it could result in the creation of several new playgrounds that will require ongoing maintenance costs and annual spends.

Earlier in the meeting, Cllr McAree and her SF colleagues had opposed the Cathaoirleach’s proposal that the GMA – a discretionary fund customarily used to support community development initiatives – be used to fund the cost of repairing a car park in the centre of Monaghan Town, a proposal eventually carried on a 4-3 show of hands vote.

Cllr Clerkin in moving his motion said playgrounds at Hollywood Park and Ballinode village have fallen into such a state of disrepair that it is no longer safe for children to use some of the equipment.

“Immediate investment is required to ensure these community facilities are restored to a safe and usable standard,” he stated.

He deemed the council’s budget for playground maintenance insufficient and said the minister should make dedicated funding available to upgrade play facilities across north Monaghan. He also hoped all playgrounds could have sensory equipment installed so children of all needs are facilitated.

Seconding the motion, Cllr Niamh McCooey (SF) said play parks are an important resource and children should be able to use them without risk of injury. She noted that two villages in the MD area, Clontibret and Annyalla, have no play facilities and asked Cllr Clerkin to include a request for funding for them in his motion.

“There is a huge cohort of children and young people in our area with absolutely no amenities for play,” Cllr McCooey stated.

Cllr Clerkin said he was happy to make the amendment to the motion requested.

Moving her motion later in the meeting, Cllr McAree referred to playground upgrade needs at Hollywood, Emyvale and in villages across north Monaghan.

“If we can take money from the GMA for a carpark, we can ringfence money from this year’s fund for play parks,” she suggested.

Seconding, Cllr Seán Conlon (SF) said play parks secure safe and healthy outlets for children and are at the core of what the GMA is intended for, community-led initiatives.

Cllr Seamus Treanor (Ind) recalled the former Monaghan Town Council taking action when the playground at Killygoan in Monaghan Town needed urgent repair. “If we have the money in the kitty, we should spend it,” he said.

Thanking everyone who supported his earlier motion, Cllr Clerkin said the four councillors who had earlier supported the carpark proposal had “made a sacrifice” last year and voted for the local property tax [which provides part of the GMA funding] because it provided a funding resource for such projects.

“There is no point playing politics,” he added. “There is no other game in town. In a perfect world there would be more money from central government.”

The Cathaoirleach suggested that costings be obtained for Cllr McAree’s proposal and brought before the MD’s July meeting.

Cllr McAree, however, proposed that €100,000 be taken from the GMA for play parks and asked for a vote.

Cllr Raymond Aughey (FF) asked if the proposal just related to this year’s GMA fund and Cllr McAree confirmed that it did.

The proposal then passed on a show of hands vote but the Cathaoirleach said he was voting against it. He believed that many different areas in the MD will require playgrounds or upgrades and they could be facing annual maintenance costs for three or four new facilities.

“We do not know what we have just voted for as there will be an annual spend,” Cllr Johnston cautioned.