Protest over failure to secure amenities in Johnstown to be held at council HQ

The Johnstown Community Forum is holding a protest at Meath County Council's headquarters at Buvinda House on Saturday, calling for community infrastructure for the burgeoning local population.

The protest is planned for 12 noon and Forum chair, Cllr Emer Tóibín, has urged the people of Johnstown to mobilise en masse in a bid to get secure community facilities for the area.

“Residents are tired of promises but no action, and enough is enough now.

“Johnstown has seen a massive explosion in housing. Meath Co Council started giving planning permission for large scale housing developments in our area nearly 25 years ago. Some 3,500 homes have since been built and the population now stands at over 12,000. Housing continues to be built at pace in this area and this is vitally important for the many that are trying to secure a home''

“However, the amenities are sadly lacking.

“Johnstown is larger than towns like Dunshaughlin, Kells and Athboy yet we don’t have anything even close to the community infrastructure these towns have. It is absolutely wrong that we have had to wait for such simple amenities”.

“We have been campaigning for many years for key amenities like a playground, a community centre and playing fields. We’ve received numerous promises from the council, but shockingly, these promises have come to nought. Even more baffling and frankly unbelievable is the fact the council cannot even give us a clear date as to when works might actually commence”.

“The people of Johnstown / Athlumney cannot and will not tolerate any more delays. These amenities are crucial for the social fabric of our community”.