Cllr Keelan pledges 'progress and positivity'

“Progress, positivity and promoting shopping local” – will be the focus of Cllr Noel Keelan’s term as Cathaoirleach of the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District (MD). In a reversal of what occurred at the AGM of Monaghan County Council last week, Cllr Keelan takes the chair in the local MD while Cllr Aidan Campbell (FG) will serve as Leas-Cathaoirleach.

Cllr Keelan thanked his proposer Cllr Paul Gibbons (SF) and congratulated him on a good past year in the chair.

Key projects on Cllr Keelan's radar include advancing the swimming pool project for Carrick, the development of the workhouse site, the Bridewell’s resurrection and the completion of Shirley House Lane carpark. A strong advocate for CCTV, the Sinn Féin man also wants to see that up and running ASAP. He is hopeful too for progress on a tenant for the former Newbaze factory.

“Carrickmacross has always been a market town, more needs to be done to promote the casual street traders’ market on Thursday,” he continued.

Conscious of the night time economy, he wished the lads from Abhaile, the new disco pub in Carrickmacross, the very best and indeed Shevlin’s next door, which has renewed its licence.

Turning his attention to Castleblayney, Cllr Keelan said he was delighted to see progress on the Market House, and the opening of the Gaelscoil is imminent.

He lamented that, while young people today are among the best educated and paid, they struggle to get on the property ladder. In that regard, Cllr Keelan welcomed the recent rollout of affordable housing in Carrick but said more is required.

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Paul Gibbons was congratulated by all members on his term. He spoke with pride about progress on the Lough Muckno Masterplan, which recently went out to public consultation; and works on Castleblayney Market House, which are underway.

MD Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Campbell, who was nominated by Cllr Peter Conlon (FG) and seconded by Cllr P.J. O’Hanlon (FF), reminded those who missed the public consultation on the Muckno Masterplan that they could still make their voices heard online.