by Ronan Casey
The condition of a local road between Crookedwood and Multyfarnham is so bad that a wheelchair-bound local resident could not travel on it to visit her ailing grandmother.
The difficulties of Martinstown resident, Maureen Brennan, in attaining true independent living were highlighted by local Councillor Una D’Arcy (SF) who demanded swift action on the part of the local Council to allow the youngster to travel her own road.
Cllr D’Arcy got her way when, at the September meeting of the Mullingar Municipal District, she was informed that the series of potholes would be patched “as soon as possible”.
However, the repairs came too late for the Brennan family, as Maureen’s beloved grandmother Peggy passed away.
Speaking to Topic, Cllr D’Arcy was saddened to report that “last week, Maureen’s granny passed away and I would like to extend my sympathy to the Brennan Family following her passing. Peggy lived at the bottom of this road and at one time, Maureen was able to travel between her home and her Granny’s and this was an important part of her independent living. The road is no longer fit for travelling in the motorised wheelchair and as such has removed this important aspect of independence and quality of life from Maureen’s routine.”
Whilst the road was repaired, Cllr D’Arcy feels that as part of a bigger picture, the Council should engage with those using wheelchairs and their families.
“I would ask that the Council speak with Maureen and recognise the needs of her independent living, both for going out into the fresh air in her chair on the roads around her home and to keep the road in good repair for the specially adapted vehicles used by the Brennan family,” Cllr D’Arcy told Topic.
