Athlone thread

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119498494#Comment_119498494

That's not in athlone town, or Westmeath for that matter. Its Co Roscommon, so it may as well be in North County Limerick.

That aside, it's a different use/type of bulding which to change would require to planning

rn

I think the pharmaplaz building is sold though, so interesting to see if it gets going. It's not designed for offices anyway.

Yup the office definitely hasn't gone away and there's a serious shortage of office space in the town. If there isn't space, town can't grow economically. Hope it gets built.

Freddiestar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119491960#Comment_119491960

Nice but closed unfortunately, not sure for how long

AdrianG08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499593#Comment_119499593

Where is that building exactly?

murphthesmurf

Just off the traffic island at junction 13 Monksland, beside West point retail park (Fusion Training Centre, Supersavers).

rn

It's right beside supersavers, in the most unusual site. Down in a hole. It's an unusual shaped building. It's just the steel structure, some limited cladding. The whole thing would need to be torn down now I'd think as the steel will have been exposed for nearly 20 years. Dropped pin

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pB4PmcYNas2oXeBP6

I think they took a lot of sand out of the site before they built anything. I walked it several years ago, before it was better secured. Explored a good few of the derelict sites around 11-13.

It would be better if the failed Pharmaplatz project was cleared and the land used to provide an eastbound sliproad onto the N6, the congestion around there is terrible.

batman75

Did Aengus O'Rourke ever run for the dail? Given who his Mammy is I would have thought he would have been a shoe in.

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119516880#Comment_119516880

Yes. More than once I think but he's not known enough outside athlone to get votes in other parts of the constituency.

Might be an opening for an athlone candidate when troy gets kicked out on his hole at the next election

Jizique

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119516880#Comment_119516880

Living in Dublin for years and in a very big job, why would he?

batman75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517406#Comment_119517406

I wonder are you thinking of his brother Fergal who designed our famous FDI tax scheme? Aengus runs a business in Athlone for years.

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517435#Comment_119517435

Yea. Midland print. He's living down the Roscommon road. Westmeath co councillor also.

batman75

Even in good old Ireland I imagine Troy won't run again. Boxer was probably too much an Athlone candidate and that probably cost him re-election. I'd be surprised if FF ran with O'Rourke again given his previous multiple failings to get elected. Also I think people are rebelling against political dynasties.

AckwelFoley

I'd say troy will try run again. But he struggled last time. Politicians have tough necks. I've no problem with him owning property but there's a bad smell around some of the dealings in the buying and selling of a house. Open to correction but one was sold to the County council. How convenient. Bought, renovated and sold within a few months and makes a nice wedge on it. Things don't happen that fast in the real world.

If he thinks that the public is going to believe he didn't properly read the perfectly understandable guidelines of the SIPO declaration, I think he's best not in public office if that's how poor his comprehension is.

Boxer got elected solely because he was independent and particularly at the time people were rebeling against FF FG. He didn't get re elected because he made a complete gobsite of himself when he did get elected. Rotating minister that wouldn't hand it over when is was due to. Then, his son, wet behind the ears get elected to the council and gove it up, boxer then thinks it can be handed it to him...just because.. bizarre stuff altogether

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119517663#Comment_119517663

Boxers antics with the Ministerial post was truly bizarre. The only positive was he screwed Sean Canney which I've no problem with

batman75

Felt slightly sorry for Boxer as he did heroic work for the town at the time of the floods. Not condoning his actions while a TD but still always found him down to earth.

rn

In fairness to boxer, he got the flood defences up and going. He went in to solve that and while it's not done on his watch, he is most associated with it.

I imagine Troy will definitely run again. Like his defense didn't hold water specifically for his role in enterprise, when you consider corporate compliance is such a huge thing - but he just been caught being a cute hure of a politician. At end of day, if he's done the ground work with passports, medical cards, etc he'll get the votes.

batman75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119518245#Comment_119518245

Pre social media I would definitely concur with your assessment. I think that social media is a game changer. People have a voice now like never before. As cute dumb as Troy appears to be I don't think even he is stupid enough to run again. He is getting Maria Bailey esque ribbing on social media. I think he is finished in politics. Hopefully anyway.

rn

I dunno, social media is national, international even. Politics is local. Bailey was down right greedy with her **** up. Troy's is as you say "cute dumb". I agree he's finished in government. There's been plenty of politicians who survived this kind of thing though with the local electorate.

I think two things will be important factors. Does this now stop the drip feed of "poor landlord antics" he's been up to and secondly how far away is the next election?

There's definitely an opportunity now for an Athlone candidate to emerge FF Westmeath will probably continue to favour mullingar given it's the county town.

batman75

You may well be right. It’s a funny old country. Troy would surely have to run as an independent?

flazio

I just wish Irish politics was more based on voting councillors for local issues, voting parties in the Dáil for national issues.

rn

Well in our system, we kinda have that. The government is the cabinet, which is the leaders "best" team from the elected TDs. But there's always a few lemons in the setup, no matter what system of selection of politician. Hard to know if Troy would have to run independent. He's done nothing illegal that warrants kicking out if FF. Like he's a land lord by trade. I remember the three South roscommon former FF councillors used to be a builder, a solicitor (who specialises in conveyancing) and an auctioneer. And the people elected them!

veryangryman

Blindboy fairly roasted his website this week where Troy calls himself "A young person, who is working and living in the area, have first-hand knowledge of many of the difficulties that the people of Westmeath-Longford are having"

Your 40 with almost 10 properties. GTFO

What saddens me is that the others in the Dail have as many if not more, just not their turn to get exposed

rn

There was a time about 5 years ago you could buy decent property for under 150k in the Midlands. An investor with 50k deposit (something easy enough for a prudent lad with cash flow) and a 100k loan. Suddenly you'd a house. Surprisingly easy enough to pick up another quickly with cash flow again. I know a few lads who did it and by 2018, had and have 5-10 properties. It was good business. Those people tend to be asset rich and cash poor. And they work hard, cos they usually do a good bit of DIY on the properties.

Troy is not a smart lad, but he is a cute lad. And there's nothing wrong with that as long as they are tax compliant and follow regulations. People dislike them, but society needs those guys.

Blindboy is all talk and ultimately a "me feiner" and an entertainer, but no solutions

FintanMcluskey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524871#Comment_119524871

Yeah I've no issue with successful people involved in the Dail running the country.

I'd hate to see the country if self entitled chaps like blind boy had a say

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524037#Comment_119524037

Nobody is getting exposed for owning property. Its not illegal. If they own 100 houses good for them. What sneaky hole tried to do is pull the wool over people's eyes and play the cute hoor. Blindboy is a bollocks

veryangryman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524871#Comment_119524871

Why does he need solutions? Hardly his job as you have said. He simply quotes Troy's website and states the obvious that very few 40 year olds have 10 properties.

I've no solutions either but I still think cute hoors should be called out.

Amysnigg

I am so disappointed with Mr Troy, he is gaining from the people who cannot buy a house and also bidding against a family or single person trying to put their foot on the property ladder, what hope do we have when these people with wads of taxpayers money, trying hard to hide

Sports Direct coming to Athlone.

Looking to take 5 units over 2 floors in the Town Center shopping centre

https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2022/08/25/sports-direct-plans-to-open-athlone-outlet/

flazio

Are we talking about the "Texas" centre because I can't see there being enough room in any adjacent units in Town Centre for the type of store Sports Direct have in the likes of Roscommon, Tullamore or Galway.