Long serving Maureen praised
THE retirement of dedicated New Ross council staff member Maureen Ralph didn’t go unnoticed at the meeting.
Ms Ralph, who was in attendance at the meeting, was given a warm send off by the councillors and officials on her 42nd year working in the area.
Cllr Larry O’Brien said: ‘I think it’s a great achievement to have served for 41 years and a day! I would like to say well done to Maureen and to wish her all the best of luck.’ THE council is in discussions with the owners of numerous derelict sites in the town to improve their appearance.
These include numbers 5, 4 and 2 John Street, 18 North Street, Six Storey Warehouse, 14 The Quay, Dunbrody Licensed Premises, The Quay, Bumble Bee, Priory Street and a terraced dwelling adjoining the Old Trinity Hospital on Priory Street.
New Ross District Manager Sinead Casey said the council is actively dealing with the owners of a number of other premises and sites.
She said: ‘Some derelict sites have been successfully resolved amicably in recent months. The Chamber of Commerce has been very helpful in the process and work will continue to further enhance the public realm.’
Cllr Michael Sheehan said it is imperative that the properties in New Ross are renovated and, where possible, occupied.
‘We, at least have to get them back into a presentable state. Even if there are only one or two on a street it brings the whole street down.
‘We have some shopkeepers who have done a lot to improve their premises and others who have done nothing at all,’ Cllr Sheehan.