Local residents request installation of public toilets in one of Tipperary's busiest parks

Local residents have requested the installation of public toilets in one of Tipperary's busiest parks.

During the February Tipperary County Council meeting, Councillor Eddie Moran noted that Templemore attracts large crowds on weekends; however, visitors lack access to basic toilet facilities.

Councillor Moran urged the council to prioritise the provision of public toilets for Templemore Town Park in the area’s primary development plan, emphasising the need for immediate action.

"We have a fabulous park, but we have big issues still going on, and I have to bring it up here, because it’s two years since I raised this first, but is it in the masterplan for public toilets down in the town park?

"There’s no point in having them up on the Roscrea Road, we want this down in the town centre,” Cllr Moran said.

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Located in central Templemore, the park serves as a popular destination for families and sports groups on weekends. With a history spanning over 250 years since the Carden family planted the first trees, the park now features a sensory garden, picnic tables, a playground, and outdoor exercise equipment, establishing it as a vibrant community hub.

"The bank holiday weekend just gone, there was a busload of people there with young kids that had nowhere to go to the toilet, even the town hall was closed, and you can’t expect these people to be going into the hotel, 25 or 30 people at a time,” he added.

Councillor Moran highlighted that depending on local businesses for restroom access imposes an undue burden, particularly as these businesses are responsible for water expenses. He contended that, given the high daily attendance and use of amenities such as the basketball court, the council is obligated to provide adequate facilities.

"You have to go to a toilet whether it’s raining or snowing or the sun is shining, so we need this issue addressed in some way or another with the masterplan the council has for Templemore, there has to be money put aside for this in the park in the town centre,” Cllr Moran added.

Eamon Lonergan, representing the council’s environmental section, acknowledged the validity of the concern but clarified that the matter primarily falls under district jurisdiction rather than the environmental section.

"I know, Cllr Moran, you’ve raised this issue with me many, many times, but the masterplan is being developed by the Thurles-Templemore Municipal District and the planning section, not through the environment and climate action section, and the roads section would be the budget holders there,” Mr Lonergan said.

"The best place to go back and ask that is probably the district, I know you have mentioned it before, and you continue to make a case for that,” he added.

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