Longford Review of the Year January 2024: Convent refugee plans scrapped over ‘safety concerns’

The plan to house 85 Ukrainian refugees at a former convent building in Lanesboro were abandoned following an arson attack at the property.

The news came during the January meeting of Longford County Council where acting director with Longford County Council’s Humanitarian Response Team, Michael Nevin, revealed to members that the property owner wasn't proceeding with the plans as he had concerns for the safety of himself, his family, his company and his employees.

It also emerged at the council meeting that efforts were made to burn the building, located on the main street of Lanesboro, Longford, at six different locations and accelerants were used.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Joe Flaherty commented, "Arson is reckless and endangers lives.

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It is deeply alarming to learn that efforts were made to burn the building at six different locations and accelerants were used.

"I grew up in Lanesboro and I am as passionate about the community as the next man, however, burning buildings is not reflective of the local community."

Local Independent councillor Mark Casey hit out at those responsible for the fire and at the Government for their lack of consultation with the community.

Cllr Casey said, "The fire put people in jeopardy. There are people who live beside that building, there are businesses beside that building, it is an absolute disgrace what is going on.

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“I’d be very surprised if it was anyone local who had anything to do with this. It is not a thing you would see normally in Lanesboro. It is not the mindset of the people of Lanesboro.”

Storm Isha crash victim laid to rest

Storm Isha crash victim Jimmy Rowe was laid to rest on his birthday.

Jimmy of 10 Slí Na Móna, Ballymahon, Longford and Tuam, Galway, died after his car veered off the road during powerful winds.

The Longford native lived with his partner in Kilcloghans, outside Tuam, where he had been working for a number of years.
He was laid to rest after Funeral Mass in St Matthew's Church, Ballymahon on Friday, January 25, 2024. Burial took place afterwards in Shrule Cemetery.

No solid info on Park House

Longford County Council members were told the Park House Hotel in Edgeworthstown is under consideration as a location for housing refugees seeking international asylum.

Cllr Turlough McGovern asked the Executive about the plans: “I see work going on at the Park House in Edgeworthstown. Does anyone know if there are families going into it? The people of the area are inquisitive about what is happening,” Cllr McGovern said in the chamber.

Director of Services with responsibility for Enterprise and Ukrainian Humanitarian Response, Michael Nevin, said the council was not directly liaising with the property owner.

Mr Nevin explained, “Some projects come through the local authority, but some go directly through the Department. We have no solid information on the Park House.”

Permanent home for Museum 

The start of 2024 marked the passing of three decades since Longford Museum closed its doors. Longford Historical Society expressed the hope that the milestone would spark action to restore the culturally important institution.

Consultations on the Longford Town Centre First plan saw calls for a permanent home for Longford Museum collection.