Sligo County Councillors have voted in favour of approving a material contravention to the County Development Plan, clearing the way for the sites of two unopened Neolithic tombs on Cairns Hill to be used for the construction of 74 new houses.
Out of the 18 Councillors, 14 voted for, while Cllrs Tom MacSharry and Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady voting against.
Cllr Declan Bree abstained from the vote.
Sligo Strandhill Councillor Sinead Maguire was absent from today’s meeting
While it was acknowledged in the Council Chamber that it is an emotional issue for residents, many local representatives said that Sligo is very much in the grips of a housing crisis and difficult decisions need to be made.
Speaking to Ocean FM news Cllr Donal Gilroy who proposed the motion says Sligo will not grow economically unless the housing shortage is addressed:
Graeme Glynn, chairman of the Cairns Hill Residents Group says they are disappointed with today’s decision he’s been speaking to our reporter Catherine Gaffney
