Post #9339

It was widely reported that Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy spoke at the public meeting in Ballaghaderreen last week to oppose the construction of 47 modular homes ostensibly for Ukrainians, after previously assisting with the Syrian plantation of the town beginning in 2017. Under-reported was that Sinn Féin TD Claire Kirrane also spoke after helping locals prepare submissions to oppose the development. She was well received. Kirrane said it was great to see the town mobilising on "something positive" and that Ballaghaderreen has "had its fill" after "seven solid years" of being planted. The town has been planted for a lot longer than seven years though, and probably now close to 50% saturation levels. Wags call it "Allahderreen" and it's fast becoming the next Ballyhaunis. I'd wager too that Sinn Féin's low-key about-face on the new plantation has been prompted more by a drop in support than by any realisation of how damaging their "no limits" approach has been. And they won't be the people to fix it.