Five playground options in Trim

Sinn Fein councillor Caroline Lynch has said that five potential sites have been identified for a new playground in Trim following the decision by Meath County Councillors to object to the site identified by town councillors at the Porchfields. Cllr Lynch has called for consultation with the residents at the potential sites. She said: 'Trim playground has now been closed for a month. When I first raised this issue at Council back in June, I was barracked and told that it was a non-issue and everything was fine. Clearly, this was not the case, and my concerns were justified. 'Despite Trim Town Council clearly supporting the site at the Porchfields, this decision was overturned by county councillors, most of whom overturned the decision of their own party colleagues. Indeed, Councillor (Phil) Cantwell supported it at the Trim meeting, then flip-flopped at the county meeting,' she claimed. However, Cllr Cantwell has denied this and said he never commented one way or another at the town meeting and said that, for something as important as that, he had to give it some thought. Cllr Cantwell also said that he is known as being 'conservative when it comes to heritage' in the town. Cllr Lynch said that sites had been identified at Mornington Heights, Townspark, Griffin Park, Old Athboy Road and Tower View and that at least two of these sites are completely unsuitable and will be ruled out. However, she said it is essential that consultation is carried out with the residents of these areas to see if they want a playground on their doorstep and that she had consulted with as many residents as possible in advance of Monday"s meeting (22nd September), as well as with users of the old playground. 'Due to a lack of foresight, Trim has been without a vital amenity during the summer months. It is imperative of us to get this decision right and, to do that, we must not impose a playground where it is not wanted,' she said.