Perimeter wall for Ukrainian modular homes site in Tullamore

A PERIMETER wall is to be built around the 62 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees to separate the site from Clonminch Lane.

The wall “will protect privacy on both sides, increase security and reduce noise levels,” a spokesperson for the residents of Clonminch Lane, Frank O'Reilly told the Tribune this week.

He and other residents want work on the wall to begin as soon as possible before the modular homes site is developed further.

The wall will be constructed on the council's property beyond the boundaries of the homes on Clonminch Lane and existing hedgerows and trees will remain intact.

The Office of Public Works has also stated it will plant semi-mature trees on the council side of the wall.

Mr O'Reilly condemned the construction of the modular homes adjacent to Clonminch Lane without the residents of the area being notified in advance as an “appalling invasion of privacy”.

“I woke up on Monday, April 17 to the sound of construction equipment on the land directly behind our homes “ he told the Tribune this week.

Mr O'Reilly likened the work to “an invasion without the guns"

He said that residents of the lane had no prior notification of the work which he condemned as “deeply insulting and a disgrace.”

Mr O'Reilly stressed he and other residents of the lane are sympathetic to the plight of Ukrainian refugees and support the national efforts being made to provide assistance.

But he said the “sudden arrival of construction equipment on Monday, April 17 and the commencement of site development for modular homes proved to be a very rude awakening.”

Members of Offaly County Council were assured in a briefing by the Office of Public Works, the body charged with developing the site, that there would be engagement with local residents before work commenced on the Clonminch site.

Of the 62 planned modular homes, 16 are being placed on a site directly behind four of the houses on Clonminch Lane.

Mr O'Reilly, in a letter to the OPW, asked why it was necessary to plan 16 of the units behind the homes on the lane when the site was large enough for a less “invasive” configuration.

“We can only assume this was an oversight of simply a lack of consideration for the people who've lived on the lane for years,” he added.

The issue was also discussed at this month's meeting of Tullamore Municipal District with councillors hitting out at the lack of consultation with Clonminch residents.