Minutes 2026
Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo Held on Monday 19th January 2026 at 10am in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
Councillor Declan Bree
Councillor Arthur Gibbons
Councillor Ann Higgins
Councillor Tom MacSharry
Councillor Fergal Nealon
Councillor Gino O’Boyle
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr Brían Flynn, Director of Services, Live Invest Visit & Borough of Sligo MD,
Mr Thomas Kerins, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Roads,
Mr Adrian Grandison, Executive Engineer, Planning Enforcement,
Mr Tony Parkinson, Senior Executive Engineer, Facilities Management,
Ms Nola Gibbons, Meeting Administrator
APOLOGIES:
None
MAYOR:
Councillor O’Boyle presided
ITEM 1: CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:
Proposed: Councillor Nealon
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
“To confirm minutes of Borough District of Sligo Ordinary meeting held on 10th November 2025”
ITEM 2: DECLARATION OF INTERESTS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None
ITEM 3: HEADED ITEMS
Croi Conaithe Towns Fund & Derelict Sites Register
A. Grandison took the members through the updated figures as contained in the report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.
ITEM 4: NOTICES OF MOTION
Urgent Road Works on Caltragh Road
Proposed: Councillor Nealon
Seconded: Councillor MacSharry
AND AGREED
4.1. “That this Council prioritises urgently needed road works at Caltragh road, including the adequate provision of footpaths and pedestrian crossings.”
Councillor Nealon acknowledged the report received from the Roads Department, highlighting the urgent need for pedestrian crossings, footpath and road improvements works in the Caltragh area and asked that priority is given to securing funding for these works.
Councillor MacSharry and Councillor Gibbons both fully supported the motion and echoed Councillor Nealon’s request that the works to be treated as priority.
Provision of Pavement along Airport Road
Proposed: Councillor Nealon
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.2. “Considering the large increase in volumes of businesses at the Airport Business Park- We request that this Council provides a continuous pavement along the airport road in Strandhill as well as adequate lighting.”
Councillor Nealon noted the report from the Roads Department but stressed the urgent need for a footpath and improved lighting given the increased pedestrian movement to and from the business park as a result of the opening of additional businesses and a creche.
Councillor Gibbons and Councillor Higgins fully supported the motion.
Repairs to footpath Strandhill Road
Proposed: Councillor Higgins
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.3. “That this Council carries out the necessary repairs to the footpath on the Strandhill Road between Second Sea Road and Woodville which is currently topped with loose grit, noting that the footpath ceases on the road to Barnasrahy.”
Councillor Higgins welcomed the report from the Director of Services stating that this stretch of footpath will be considered for inclusion in a future Footpath Enhancement Programme should an adequate funding stream be available.
Councillor Gibbons fully supported the Motion
Subsidence Risk of bank on Markievicz Road
Proposed: Councillor Higgins
Seconded: Councillor O’Boyle
AND AGREED
4.4. “To ask Sligo County Council to assess the possible risk of subsidence occurring along the bank of Markievicz Road and also explores the possibility of planting wildflowers in this area.”
Councillor Higgins welcomed the content of the report from the Director of Services advising that the risk of subsidence or soil creep along this embankment was deemed to be low risk.
Councillor O’Boyle fully supported the motion and Councillor Higgins’ request that Sligo County Council explore the potential of planting wildflowers along the embankment.
Provision of Dog Waste Bins in Treacy Ave Park
Proposed: Councillor Higgins
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.5. “To ask Sligo County Council to install a dog waste bin in Treacy Avenue park and consider installing these much-needed bins in all other residential parks within the Sligo Borough”.
Councillor Higgins welcomed the response from the Director of Services, however, wished to clarify that the responsibility for maintaining any bins that may be provided, would be that of the residence of Treacy Avenue and not Sligo County Council personnel.
Councillor Gibbons, Councillor MacSharry and Councillor Nealon fully supported the motion.
Director of Services, B Flynn, commended the work of Treacy Avenue Residents Association in maintaining their local area affirming Sligo County County’s continued support of their efforts going forward. Regarding the installation of bins in the park area, Mr Flynn urged caution, citing previous examples where dog waste bins were provided but which had to be removed at the request of the community due to misuse of the bins for the illegal dumping of household waste.
Mr Flynn advised that he would discuss the matter further with the Environment Section and suggested to Members that a public media Dog Fouling Campaign could be ran by Sligo County Council in relation to the nuisance of dog fouling in public spaces.
Councillor Higgins agreed to Mr Flynn’s suggestion.
Lighting Outages in O’Boyle Park
Proposed: Councillor O’Boyle
Seconded: Councillor MacSharry
AND AGREED
4.6. “That this council writes directly with the public lighting contractor, Electric Skyline, to resolve the ongoing lighting outages in O’Boyle Park and confirms to members the outcome of that engagement.”
Agreed by Resolution.
Drainage Leak at Forthill Park
Proposed: Councillor O’Boyle
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.7. “That Sligo County Council inspects and undertakes the necessary remedial works to address the reported drainage leak at Forthill Park and confirms the actions taken to members.”
Sligo County Council Roads Department advised they would investigate this issue with a view to a resolution.
Initiation of CPO proceedings for Holburn Street Properties
Proposed: Councillor O’Boyle
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.8. “Sligo county council under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, initiates Compulsory Purchase Order proceedings for long term derelict properties on Holborn Street, Sligo, and reports to Council within 12 weeks on actions taken or legal impediments.”
Councillor O’Boyle welcomed the report from the Director of Services, E Concannon, confirming that due to lack of progress in engagements with the owner of the properties in resolving their derelict state, Sligo County Council will now begin the process of compulsory acquiring the site.
Upgrade of road markings in Cartron Bay and Cartron Heights
Proposed: Councillor Gibbons
Seconded: Councillor Bree
AND AGREED
4.9. “That the Roads Department of this Municipal District Council would carry out the necessary upgrade of the road markings in Cartron Bay & Cartron Heights.”
Councillor Gibbons welcomed the report from Sligo County Council Roads Department confirming that they will examine this matter with a view to carrying out any necessary works, subject to budget availability.
Measures to Deter Illegal Dumping in Housing Estates
Proposed: Councillor Gibbons
Seconded: Councillor Bree
AND AGREED
4.10. “This local authority investigate all measures to deter individuals from illegally dumping in secluded areas of council and private housing estates.”
Councillor Gibbons acknowledged and commended the work and initiatives currently being delivered by the Environment Section under the Anti-Dumping Initiative Scheme and asked that consideration be given to strengthen these measures with the installation of temporary CCTV cameras and littering fines.
Road Resurfacing and Footpath Repair Works at Markievicz Heights
Proposed: Councillor MacSharry
Seconded: Councillor Nealon
AND AGREED
4.11. “That Sligo MD engineering staff ensure road resurfacing and footpath repair works at Markievicz Heights are completed to the satisfaction of the residents in the estate.”
Councillor MacSharry welcomed the report from the Roads Department confirming that the footpath enhancement works in Markievicz Heights, which had been paused in 2025 after very shallow utilities were encountered, would commence once follow up discussions had taken place with the ESB with a view to completing the works and carrying out permanent (concrete) reinstatement of the footpaths.
Councillor Nealon also welcomed the report and asked that the matter be expedited.
Public Lighting Issues
Proposed: Councillor MacSharry
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.12. “That Sligo MD engineering staff work with all agencies to ensure the public lighting problems at Carroll Drive, Cranmore, Martin Savage Tce and Maugheraboy estate are addressed as a matter of urgency.”
Councillor MacSharry welcomed the report confirming that Sligo County Council will liaise with Electric Skyline as regards to the status of public lighting infrastructure in these locations.
Councillor Gibbons, Councillor Higgins and Councillor O’Boyle fully supported the Motion.
Urgent Need for Additional Car-Parking in Sligo Town
Proposed: Councillor MacSharry
Seconded: Councillor Nealon
AND AGREED
4.13. “That Sligo MD look at the urgent supply of more car-parking spaces within Sligo town to deal with the increased demand for parking.”
Councillor O’Boyle noted that Councillor Nealon also submitted a similar NOM relating to the issue of lack of parking spaces within Sligo town.
Councillor MacSharry noted the response from Mr Molloy, Director of Services, confirming that the adopted Local Transport Plan for Sligo City detailed that there is currently a high level of car parking spaces within the town centre with approximately 3,973 parking spaces (public and private parking) in the town centre.
Councillor MacSharry noted the report from Mr Molloy but pointed out that this was an ongoing issue and referred similar Motions he has raised at previous meetings. Councillor MacSharry asked that the Council give the matter urgent attention.
Councillor Nealon also noted the report received from the Director of Services however, referencing the high number representations he receives from the public on the matter, Councillor Nealon asked that the Council review the data contained in the report taking into account the user experience as reported to elected members from the public.
Councillor Nealon fully supported the Motion.
Councillor Higgins also fully supported the Motion and called for improved public transport to encourage the use of alternative modes of transport to private cars.
Pedestrian Crossing on Cleveragh Road – Londis Shop/Devin’s Drive
Proposed: Councillor Gibbons
Seconded: Councillor O’Boyle
AND AGREED
4.14. “That the roads department of this local authority install a pedestrian crossing at Cleveragh road in the vicinity of the Londis Shop and the entrance to Devin’s Drive.”
Councillor Gibbons noted and welcomed the report from Mr Molloy, Director of Services, confirming that the Roads Department were progressing the design of a scheme at this location.
Councillor O’Boyle supported the Motion.
Update on Development of Wine Street Car Park
Proposed: Councillor Bree
Seconded: Councillor Nealon
AND AGREED
4.15. “That the meeting be provided with an update on proposals for the development of the Wine Street Car Park area.”
Councillor Bree thanked the Director of Services, Ms Concannon, for the report and requested clarification on the reference made to the elements of the Sligo Wine Street Car Park Masterplan to be progressed in the next 5 years.
Councillor Nealon and Councillor Higgins both fully supported the Motion.
Mr Flynn, Director of Services, committed to providing Members with further details on the elements of the Masterplan to be progressed.
Update on Public Seating within Town Centre
Proposed: Councillor Bree
Seconded: Councillor O’Boyle
AND AGREED
4.16. “That the meeting be provided with an update on the provision of public seating in O’Connell Street and other appropriate areas/streets in the town centre.”
Councillor Bree welcomed the report from the Director of Services, J Molloy, confirming that Sligo County Council will install new landscaped planters on O’Connell Street in Q1 2026 and that some of the planters will incorporate integrated seating.
Councillor Bree thanked Mr Kerins and staff of Sligo County Council for advancing this project.
Report on Properties in the Ownership of Sligo County Council
Proposed: Councillor Bree
Seconded: Councillor Gibbons
AND AGREED
4.17. “That the meeting be provided with a report listing each property (excluding local authority housing) in the Borough District in the ownership of the Council; the status of each property; the rent collected per annum on each property, and the rent per square meter.”
Noting the report provided by Director of Services, Ms Concannon, Councillor Bree stated that the report was inadequate and requested that a further report is provided as soon as possible to include the rent per square meter and the full address of each individual property to include the Eircode.
Mr Flynn, Director of Services, committed that the additional information would be provided to Members as soon as possible.
ITEM 5: VOTES OF SYMPATHY
None
ITEM 6: VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS
Councillor MacSharry congratulated both Councillor O’Boyle and Councillor Bree for hosting President Catherine Connolly at City Hall.
Councillors Higgins, Gibbons, Nealon wished to be associated with the words of congratulations.
All Members commended The Mayor, Councillor O’Boyle, on his speech delivered on the night.
Mr Flynn, Director of Services, on behalf of Sligo Council wished to be associated with the congratulations.
ITEM 7: CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was noted by Members.
- Response from Electric Skyline regarding Public Lighting Audit – forwarded to Members on 16.12.25.
- Response from Minister Jerry Buttimer following his representations to the NTA regarding extensions of S1 & S2 bus routes – forwarded to Members on 16.12.25.
- Response from Minister Darragh O’Brien regarding extensions of S1 & S2 bus routes – forwarded to Members on 12.01.26.
ITEM 8: MATTERS ARISING
None
ITEM 9: ANY OTHER BUSINESS
- Councillor Gibbons requested that the Proclamation of Independence be displayed in the Council Chamber of City Hall before the next Borough MD meeting.
- Councillor Nealon brought an item of correspondence to the attention of Members which he had received during the meeting from Mr Molloy, Director of Services, relating to the announcement of new bus stops to be delivered in 2026. Councillor Nealon pointed out, that of the 21 sites listed, none were located in the Borough District and asked Members to ensure that this issue is kept on the agenda for future meetings.
Councillors Gibbons and Higgins echoed Councillor Nealon’s call that the item kept on the agenda further discussion.
The Members agreed for a joint Notice of Motion to be submitted by Councillor Nealon for consideration at a future meeting.
Meeting Date 19/01/2026