Bridge Street appeal lost

his loss.’

Stephen McLoughlin said his brother was ‘ the happiest, easiest and most outgoing fellow I knew. He had a massive presence and everywhere he went, he made a friend. If I had a problem, he gave me advice.’

The day Robert died was ‘ the worst day of my life’, he said recalling how he had heard the sirens as he was getting into bed after work but didn’t realise what they meant. He later had to make the phone call no son should ever have to make to his parents.

He said his brother had done everything right and his death was ‘so unnecessary and avoidable’.

It was difficult to put into words the pain they had been living with for the past two years.

‘What was once a tight knit family has been ripped apart,’ he said, revealing that visiting Robert’s grave is now part of his daily routine.

‘Every time I leave home I have to look at the spot where

Robert was killed.’

He also spoke at his sorrow that Robert would never know his niece and nephew, would never be godfather to his daughter, and would never get the chance to get married and have children himself.

Louth County Council has lost their appeal against a decision not to grant funding for Bridge Street under the Urban and Rural Regeneration Fund.

Speaking at the council’s monthly meeting yesterday (Monday) Cllr. Emma Coffey said it was disappointing that a ‘one line response’ was issued to the local authority despite repeated requests from members for information over the last few months.

The council had applied for funding under the Urban and Rural Regeneration Fund, in order to carry out works to tie-in with the multi-million euro upgrade of the Clanbrassil Street/St. Nicholas Quarter.

Cllr. Coffey called for ‘greater clarity’ around the appeals process.

Cllr. Conor Keelan added his disappointment saying: ‘It would have really helped us compete the works going on at Clanbrassil Street and St. Nicholas quarter right up to the Big Bridge.’