Midlands 103

Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

2:00am - 7:00am

The Late Night Mix

Spandau Ballet

True

Full Hearing Date For Lissywollen Asylum Seeker Centre Set

Sunday, 8 June 2025 13:24

Councillors in the Athlone area are bringing a legal challenge over the centre to the High Court.

A full hearing date for a legal challenge on a new 1,000 person capacity asylum seeker centre in Westmeath has been set.

Last week (Monday May 26th), Judge Emily Farrell set the date for the Lissywollen development for June 23rd.

Four Councillors from the Athlone/Moate Municipal District are behind the challenge: Mayor Frankie Keena, Cllr. John Dolan, Cllr. Aengus O’ Rourke and Cllr. Paul Hogan.

The public representatives are welcoming the news, but cautioning that adjournments have followed previously announced full-hearing dates.

The legal challenge against the project was taken on planning and environmental grounds late last year, in November.

The four councillors say in a joint statement: "In December the State conceded the development was invalid. Since then, we have sought a full hearing on the matter and declarations to be made by the Court. So, we welcome the decision by the Court to set a full hearing date. We express our appreciation to the courts for having the case heard in full in such an expeditious and prompt manner."

The full hearing will consider all of the affidavits, the expert planning and environmental opinion, the supplemental legal documents relating to the challenge.

More from Midlands News

Offaly Prize Bonds Holder Wins €500k

A bond purchased in 2022 is the winner of the monthly prize.
BNM Workshop Reunion Taking Place In Offaly Tomorrow

The former staff of the Boora Workshop will reunite in Teach Lea.
ICTU Reminds Employees Of The Right To Disconnect

The Irish Congress Of Trade Unions is reminding people to leave the office behind on holidays.
Laois Town To Host Famine Commemoration Event

Abbeyleix is set to host one next May.
Plans For Billion Euro Data Centre In Westmeath Face New Appeal

The State's planning body will now rule on the future of the development.
Westmeath Councillor Advocates For More Remote Working Hubs

Labour rep for Kinnegad Denis Leonard is hoping plans for Killucan Market House are approved.
Midlands Homelessness On The Rise

340 people in Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath are being classified as homeless.
Hundreds Without Power In Westmeath

Over 860 premises in Mullingar are cut off at the moment.
Westmeath Domestic Abuse Support Service Reports Rise In Cases

Esker House in Athlone say they're dealing with a rise in cases.
Laois TD Highlights GP Gap

Brian Stanley says 74 people in the county under the Medical Card scheme have no access to GP services.
Call Made For 'Cost Of Disability Payment' in Budget 2027

Campaigners are seeking a payment of €55 per week to cover extra costs.
Offaly Coffee Shop Listed Among Top 100 In Europe

Conway and Co in Tullamore is ranked 69th on this year's list.
Man To Stand Trial Over Midlands Tasering Accusation

The Longford man is remanded on bail until October 13.
Another Report Underlines Midlands House Price Inflation

The cost of a home in the Midlands and Mid-West is up by over 7%.
Midlands Braced For Severe Thunderstorms

Met Eireann is warning of localised flooding, hail damage, and possible power outages.
Sustainable Livestock Village Programme Launched For Tullamore Show

The programme features the International Year of the Woman Farmer as a key theme.
Offaly Woman Named National Carer Of The Year

Vanessa Craven was recognised for her work.
Plans Lodged For 40 Year Solar Farm Development In Offaly

Th plans involve a planning application for a 143.4-hectare solar PV scheme.
Midlands MEP Hosts Online Safety Initiative In Brussels

"It Takes A Village" was hosted by Nina Carberry.
Oireachtas Report Highlights Planning And Infrastructure Reform Needs

A report on matters relating to transport, energy and housing delivery was released this morning.

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103