A local councillor has highlighted his "reservations" over a proposal made by Monaghan County Council to use Ballybay Civic Offices as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. Fianna Fail's Seamus Coyle commended Monaghan County Council on their role in assisting and facilitating Ukrainian people right across Monaghan.
He also added that he is in "full support" of Government policy to accept these unfortunate people who he says have been "savaged by Russian aggression."
Despite this, the local representative said the Civic Offices is Monaghan County Council's only base in Ballybay for local authority meetings and is "widely used" as a meeting venue for voluntary and community organisations in the town.
Cllr Coyle said it was "ironic" that the news came on the same day as confirmation was announced on the acquisition of the "historical" Market House building in Ballybay.
While Cllr Coyle is "delighted" to see the development of the Market House, until works are complete, he believes that Ballybay Civic Offices must remain an available venue for use until the potential of Ballybay Market House is a "reality."
He continued; "It is my view that as Ballybay Civic Offices are the only public building of Monaghan County Council on the Main Street, and as a seat of democracy in the town, they should remain as an available venue/location for use until the exciting potential of Ballybay Market House is a reality."
