Government Ministers, Thomas Byrne and Jack Chambers, were in North Louth last week, the former to meet with sports clubs’ representatives
Government business brought Transport Minister Chambers to Ballymascanlon Hotel, but he later had a meeting with Senator Erin McGreehan, who briefed him on the situation on the Cooley Peninsula following the flooding. He also visited the premises of Seán Moriarty Transport.
Sen McGreehan said she feared the Louth County Council had not looked for enough government help to repair the widespread damage. Having travelled the area, she had seen where the verges on tertiary roads had been badly damaged.
“The floods ripped up the edges of roads, and as a result there are ravines on many of the verges. I have met with County Council officials and explained this to them. I asked them to repair all the damage and take the opportunity to improve drainage systems.”
She added that she had highlighted these problems to Minister Chambers, and asked him to provide whatever government help the County Council needed.
At Moriarty Transport, a family-run business that has served the transport and logistics industry for over 30 years, the Minister was briefed on a number of issues faced by haulage firms. Seán Moriarty highlighted toll charges and the problems relating to operating in a border town.
Minister Chambers said he was impressed by what he had seen, and had taken on board the concerns raised at the meeting. He thanked Senator McGreehan for arranging the visit.
In return, the senator said it was a pleasure to meet with the Moriarty family and learn about their business. She was familiar with their distinctive lorries travelling the road, and it was great to go behind the scenes and see how the firm operates.
Dundalk FC headquarters at Oriel Park was Minister Byrne’s first port of call. He met with CEO, Martin Connolly, who brought him up to speed on where the club is and where it planned to go.
He explained that the club had been recently taken over by the America-based Brian Ainscough, who had been to Oriel Park around the time of the purchase, but was presently back in Boston.
Mr Connolly said the new owner had big plans for the club and all at Oriel Park were looking forward with enthusiasm to events off and on the field.
On leaving Oriel Park, the Minister, who was accompanied by Sen McGreehan and Councillor Sean Kelly, took in visits to three GAA clubs, Clan na Gael, Dundalk Gaels and Geraldines, as well as meeting with members of Dealgan Boxing Club, Glenmuir FC, Glenmore AC and Louth LGFA.
At each venue he was told of the different plans to expand and improve facilities. The work, however, couldn’t go ahead without finance, and it was stressed that government funding was crucial.
Minister Byrne, who has responsibility for sport, commended the clubs for their dedication and hard work, all of it done in a voluntary capacity. He said the government’s commitment was to provide financial assistance, and he looked forward to finalising the sports and equipment grants applied for earlier this year.
Sen McGreehan said that all Louth clubs had achieved is “testament to the remarkable work of volunteers over the years.” As an avid sports fan herself, she was delighted to invite Minister Byrne to the county.