Swimming shelter at Lough Owel highlighted. Again

The need for a shelter for swimmers at Portnashanghan, Mullingar, was highlighted by the mayor, Cllr Aoife Davitt, at the May meeting of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District.

She was reminded that two previous shelters had to be removed because of anti-social behaviour.

"If you fall off your bike do you not get back on because you might fall off again?" Cllr Davitt asked.

She said they could not judge by the past and suggested that they could be cleverer this time.

She said this area was known nationally for being a swimming destination all year round. Nothing extravagant or high-tech was needed, just somewhere for swimmers to change.

Cllr Mick Dollard said they needed to get a plan and a costing to be considered at their estimates and maybe some local fundraising could be done.

Cllr Denis Leonard said that amenities like that must be available to the 99% who want to use them for what they were designed and they should not be stopped from doing so by the 1%.

David Jones, director of services, agreed to meet interested parties on site.

Investment has been made in recent times at this area, with the upgrade of steps and minor improvements to the changing seating area, the members were reminded.