Taughmaconnell candidate highlights rural decline in visit to closed school
A local election hopeful in South Roscommon said there needs to be a greater focus on maintaining services in our rural communities.
Sam Brooks, a Sinn Féin candidate for the Athlone area of Roscommon County Council, made the point after recently canvassing Attyrory, a small community between Taughmaconnell and Ballydangan, where the local national school closed a few years ago.
"Seeing this (school) building abandoned is heartbreaking and just another example of constant decline in our communities," Sam said.
"The wider Taughmaconnell, Moore and Creagh area has been completely let down in recent years with public services like schools, Garda stations, and post offices shut down, local businesses and shops forced to close, and local transport routes being cut.
"Attyrory National School recently had works done at the time of its closure, and the decision to close it was short-sighted when you consider that many other local schools were overcrowded.
"We have seen a similar pattern of short-sightedness when it comes to our other public services and it is clear that these decision-makers up in Dublin are out of touch when it comes to the needs and wants of our rural communities.
"I have spoken to many people around Attyrory and the Pearses area in recent weeks, and it is clear that the people are passionate about keeping their community alive.
"Many recognise that it may not be realistic to fully reopen the school, but is converting the building into somewhere for the community that much to ask?
"I grew up in Taughmaconnell, which is just down the road from this school and this community. They deserve to see the buildings in their area being used actively by the community.
"As a first-time candidate, I am running because I am sick and tired of seeing my local communities constantly pushed aside because no one in power is willing to fight for them.
"If I have the good fortune of being elected I will stand side by side with residents across South Roscommon to represent them and their communities, that is my pledge," stated Brooks, who, along with Monksland's Joe Harney is one of two Sinn Féin candidates hoping to win a council seat in the Athlone area of Roscommon.