Council to launch CPO for tragic Castledaly site

Westmeath County Council has confirmed that a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is set to progress for a former shop and petrol station in Castledaly this month.

A written reply issued to Fine Gael Cllr John Dolan at the February meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District, in response to a request for an update on the issue, stated “it is intended to progress this CPO in February 2026.”

Cllr Dolan has been to the fore in his attempts to have the former shop and petrol station purchased by Westmeath County Council so that it can be demolished, making the site available for community use.

Central to these redevelopment plans will be a memorial to the memory of the late Debbie Fox and her two sons Trevor (9) and Killian (7) who were murdered by Debbie's husband and the children's father, Gregory in 2001. He was sentenced to life in prison for the triple murder in November 2003.

Cllr Dolan said he hoped to see the CPO progressed "within the next three weeks". However, he believes that the process "could take up to twelve months" to complete.

"The timeline will allow the local community to come up with a plan for the future of the site. I have also spoken with family members to let them know that the process will be starting shortly and the memory of Deirdre and her two sons will be recognised as part of any plans for the site," Cllr Dolan said.

The councillor also commended the work of the local authority for "facilitating the CPO process on behalf of the Castledaly community".

A CPO is a legal function that grants certain statutory bodies like councils the right to take ownership of land and/or property without requiring the owner’s consent. However, the local authority must meet set criteria and prove the purchase of land and/or property is in the public interest.

Cllr Dolan received the unanimous backing of his council colleagues when he submitted a motion to the May 2023 meeting of the Municipal District calling on the council to serve a CPO on the old shop and to purchase the property for community use