Mayor John Moran: 'I will not hide the fact I am trying to build more homes in Limerick'

There was a big turnout at Our Lady Queen of Peace school on the meeting over plans to develop modular homes | PICTURES: Dave Gaynor

placeholder image — There was a big turnout at Our Lady Queen of Peace school on the meeting over plans to develop modular homes | PICTURES: Dave Gaynor

Standing room only at Our Lady Queen of Peace school as locals oppose plans for modular housing in Limerick

MAYOR John Moran has said he “will not hide the fact” he is trying to build more houses in Limerick.

It comes after more than 100 residents of Janesboro and the surrounding community packed into the Queen of Peace school hall to show their opposition to building modular homes in the area’s park.

Park of his flagship proposal to build temporary homes in order to tackle the local housing crisis, Mayor Moran has identified a number of council-owned sites across the city to develop on.

It is the plan to develop at Boro Park, which only opened to the public in 2021, which has prompted the most opposition.

It was standing room only as Mayor Moran addressed locals, some of whom held placards protesting the move.

Speaking after the two-hour meeting, the executive mayor said: “The community have spoken about what they believe. What I am picking up is they haven’t got a good understanding of the bigger picture, what sis planned for the area.”

“We have to find places to build houses in Limerick. If you are taking out a green area, you need to be replacing it with an even better one. That’s the conversation we need to be having,” he said.

Mayor Moran, pictured below insisted no planning documents had been prepared yet, adding: “This is a very early stage of this process. We’ll put it through the planning process. But if there is a reason why we should not do it in the first place - for example, it doesn’t work from an engineering perspective - we will need to change the initial plans.”

Emotions ran high at the packed meeting.

Leslie Cunningham, the chairperson of Janesboro Tidy Towns said: “Every community deserves a green space. That place is a paradise for diversity. I see the foxes and hares coming in. Tidy Towns is all about diversity, positive mental health and you’re taking all that away from us.”

Rather than setting up modular homes, many present said the focus should be on bringing boarded up homes in Regeneration communities back to life.

Charlotte Keane said: “I must ask, why this park? Why this community? There are several unused or more suitable parcels of land within a short distance. This park is the only safe green space where children can play away from traffic. This park is the only safe space for local dog walkers. Their regular presence increases visibility, reduces anti-social behaviour and provides social connection especially for those living alone.”

John Mulready added: “Boro Park gave me a reason to live after my wife died”

Rachel Collopy, who chairs the Our Lady Queen of Peace youth club said: “We use the park every day of the week and it would be a sin if it is taken away”.

Queen of Peace school principal Eamonn O’Connell said: “It is a wonderful outlet for the wonderful children of our area. It’s such a simple park and that’s the essence of it - its simplicity”.

Six of the seven City East councillors were present at the meeting.

Their role will be key if the plan for modular housing comes up for decision.

That’s because members of Limerick City and County Council will have a veto on the proposals, since they are proposed for public land.