by Cianna McNally

RESIDENTS in Killygoan, in Monaghan Town are up in arms over a proposed housing development on a 4.5 acre site in the area.

Local woman Kathleen Roberts said that Killygoan is already “overpopulated” and that “residents do not want to live in a concrete jungle or ghetto”. Mary Gallagher hit out at the council, saying she had no confidence in the planning authority and that the council are simply “planning by stealth” without giving due consideration to alternative sites.

Chairperson of the Residents Association, Peter Clerkin said it was “unacceptable” that people living in the Killygoan area received very little consultation on the development.

Association Secretary Eileen Morgan stressed that the greatest local need was for a community centre before there were any more houses built. A new centre would replace the great loss in the community after a previous centre was demolished over 12 years ago, she feels.

Speaking at the meeting between Monaghan Town Council and Killygoan Residents Association on Monday night last, Mayor of Monaghan Town Paidraigín O Mhurchadha said she felt strongly for all the Killygoan residents concerned.

Sinn Fein Cllr Donal Sherry was surprised by the amount of opposition from the Killygoan residents and urged the other councillors present to give their word that Killygoan will have a community centre because it is more of a priority than housing.

Sinn Fein’s Sean Conlon and Fianna Fail’s Robbie Gallagher praised the residents’ community spirit. Cllr Conlon also said that the people of Killygoan had been misinformed and had “fallen victim to Chinese Whisper syndrome.”

County Manager, Declan Nelson reassured residents that their concerns and fears will be expressed to the architects and nothing would be “railroaded” through. The councillors told the residents that there was no decision made and there would not be one made until they meet with the architects dealing with the development next Monday evening, February 18.

However, Ms Gallagher told the Post that she was disappointed with its outcome and that no vote was taken to gauge the support of councillors for residents.