"People power" led to return of Strand seating in Athlone: 'Boxer'

Local Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran has credited "people power" for influencing the decision to reinstate riverside public seating at The Strand in Athlone.

The seating was removed in recent years because of work taking place in the area as part of the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme, and 'Boxer' said it had not been a given that the seats would be replaced.

"There was talk that the seating wouldn't be going back in, but it changed because there was such an outcry about that, which goes to show that people power works sometimes," he said.

'Boxer' is the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and he pointed out that the OPW contributed €10,000 towards the reinstatement of the Strand seating, which was carried out last week.

He added that the OPW had also made a €10,000 contribution towards lighting in the vicinity of Athlone Castle.

"I was delighted to see the six seating benches going back in at The Strand. It was something I was working on when I went back onto the council, and it was an issue that was then taken up by Cllr John Gibbons. I'd like to thank Westmeath County Council, Cllr Gibbons, and the OPW for their work on it."

He added that two more waterfront seating benches would soon be installed in the Wolfe Tone Terrace area, and two public bins were being put in place in the vicinity of the new seating.