Council to prepare an action plan for Creeslough

The first meeting of the new Donegal County Council Working Group to liaise with people in Creeslough on how best to identify developmental and regenerational needs of the community and the village following the tragedy on October 7 will take place early next month.

At today's meeting, it was agreed to bring forward and advance a number of projects and interventions which will attempt to assist the local community on their journey of healing and renewal.

Acting chief executive, Liam Ward, said this new Working Group will consult extensively with all groups and individuals within the community and bring forward an agreed action plan for implementation.

"The Working Group will also engage with relevant government departments and other funding bodies to confirm the necessary resources to implement the agreed action plan on a prioritised and phased basis."

He added it is envisaged that the development of the agreed action plan work will take approximately six months to conclude with delivery to take place thereafter.

He said the council's Corporate Policy Group had recently met on the matter and a number of people were selected for the Working Group and he now wanted the councillors to endorse this.

The members are: Paul Kelly, senior executive planner; Aideen Doherty, a/senior executive officer; Cllr Liam Blaney, council cathaoirleach; Cllr Anthony Molloy, cathaoirleach of Glenties Municipal District; Cllr Micheál McClafferty, and Cllr John Sheamais O’Fearraigh as well as himself as director of services who will also act as  chair of the Working Group.

Cllr Molloy asked to drop out and be replaced by Cllr Noreen McGarvey. This was agreed upon.

It is also proposed that the current cathaoirleach of the county and the Municipal District will remain as part of the Working Group until it concludes its work.

There will be further engagement with the local community in terms of representation on the Working Group.

Cllr Ciaran Brogan suggested the names of Fr John Joe Duffy, Lorcan Roarty and Yvonne McGuinness as they had been community representatives while liaising with the Red Cross. This was also agreed but will need to be formalised following a meeting with the community shortly.

It is proposed that the first meeting of the Working Group will take place in December and to target June 30, 2023 to conclude the agreed action plan for implementation.