Council set to CPO former Castledaly shop

Fine Gael Cllr John Dolan has welcomed the decision by Westmeath County Council to CPO the old shop in Castledaly.

"I am delighted that the Council have given me a commitment that they are going to commence the CPO of the old shop in Castledaly.

"I have been trying for years to find a solution to dealing with the old shop and the dark past and memories that affects the whole community," said Cllr Dolan.

Back in November 2003, Gregory Fox (36) was jailed for life for stabbing his wife Debbie, and two sons Trevor (9) and Killian (7) to death at the Castledaly site in 2001.

It was a shocking crime and tragedy that rocked the community and the wider area to its very core.

"When I was chairman of Castledaly GAA we had tried to purchase the property or find a way of trying to improve the look of the place, but we never could get any engagement.

"Castledaly Tidy Towns group have done great work in trying to improve the look of the place, but we were always limited in what could be done" continued Cllr Dolan.

"I have submitted motions to the council, and the Council moved this year and put the property on the Derelict sites list.

"I have now received confirmation from the Council that they are moving to CPO the property, which is brilliant news for everyone in the area and gives us hope that when that process is completed, we can have a discussion with the council as to how the site can be best developed in consultation with the local groups and the local community," he said this week

"I want to thank all the people, who over the years have tried to find a way of dealing with this very sensitive issue and I want to especially thank the council for agreeing to my request to CPO the property and hopefully we can move on to develop the property in a way that will remember Debbie, Trevor and Killian in a special way and allow the community of Castledaly to move on," concluded Cllr Dolan.