Athlone Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, has called upon the relevant authorities and contractors to address the public lighting issue adjacent to the canal at the rear of The Park estate on the west side of the town.
“Despite my best efforts over a three month period with regards to this particular issue, involving many hours of work writing emails, making endless calls and speaking to multiple people in authority, I am beyond frustrated to the point of desperation.
“It appears that the OPW disconnected the public lights in this area earlier on this summer. They did so without any clear plan to replace them or provide a temporary solution, which should never have happened.
“This section of roadway gets very dark at night time with high trees and for large parts there are no houses overlooking the road. Yet, many people walk this route - the Big Meadow which is closeby is widely used by people for walking and recreation.
“In recent weeks, I have informed the authorities of reports made to me of young women feeling unsafe while walking in this area after dark. Locals have also come to me noting that more youths appear to be congregating in the area and taking advantage of the cover that the lack of lighting is giving them, a rise in anti-social behaviour being a concern.
“In one case recently two girls walking home from work from a local hospitality establishment were threatened and made feel very uncomfortable by a group of youths. Needless to say they don’t walk this road anymore.
“Only recently we had a case of a sexual assault in Athlone which the Gardai are investigating. We need to stop at nothing to make sure that our streets are as safe as possible and that those using our streets feel safe doing so.
“Understandably, the locals are of the view that the authorities have neglected the area and have shown a distinct lack of respect for them and, I have to agree with them.
For months now I have repeatedly asked for lighting to be put in place, either temporary or permanent, but for some unknown reason neither the council or the OPW are taking responsibility for the matter or are willing to engage productively. They seem to be tone deaf to all our concerns and this is not good enough.
“For a basic service like lighting to be completely withdrawn from any part of Athlone town is not acceptable. It truly is enough to make your blood boil. I will not be making any more phone calls or sending any more emails to officials. I will instead be raising this matter at every council meeting going forward until a solution is firmly in place on the ground, and working properly,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
Railway Bridge goes Blue for Irish Sign Language Awareness Week
Meanwhile, Cllr O’Rourke noted the blue hue of lighting which encompassed the white bridge in recent times to mark Irish Sign Language Awareness Week.
“The white bridge displayed a beautiful vibrant blue light in recent times which symbolised deaf communities both in Ireland and internationally.
“Sign language is obviously a crucial part of a deaf persons life. It’s their first language and it’s how they communicate on a daily basis in society, so it’s fitting and appropriate that the importance of sign language is recognised.
“I was delighted to be involved in the organisation of this event and while changing the colours of the bridge might seem like a small matter to some people, I know just how much it means to the deaf community in Athlone to have their community acknowledged and recognised in the town that they live, work and socialise.
“I really enjoyed spending time with the group involved, many of whom I would consider friends of mine, and so I wish them well for the future.
Fellow event organiser, Frances Jordan, expressed her gratitude to the Deputy Mayor and Iarnrod Éireann for enabling the illumination of the white bridge to occur.
“The deaf community in Athlone and the Midlands would like to thank Cllr Aengus O’Rourke and Iarnród Eireann for helping to make this wonderful occasion happen.
“We would also like to thank Ashleigh-Rose Coyle for interpreting during the ‘switching on’ event to the deaf community present. Please tell your friends and family when you are passing the bridge in the evening that the blue light signifies the deaf community in Athlone, Ireland and internationally. For those who wish to find out more information, please visit the Iirsh Deaf Society website at www.irishdeafsociety.ie,” Ms Jordan stated
