There’s renewed optimism in Newmarket-on-Fergus over the future of essential public services.
Last night, over 200 people attended a meeting in the village, in light of concerns about a range of issues including the continued vacancy for a local GP, and the level of policing there.
But there’s now an air of confidence there about the direction the village is going.
Top of the agenda at last night’s meeting was the vacant position of GP in Newmarket, a role which has been vacant for a number of months since the retirement of Dr. Colm Hackett.
The role, which had been vacant since summer, was offered to a doctor and was due to be filled in September, but this did not happen due to what were described as “unforeseen circumstances.”
The position is being re-advertised, with Dr. Yvonne Williams in Shannon providing cover in the interim period.
Other issues, like the need for a stronger Garda presence and a lack of basic amenities, were also raised.
Eimear Murphy, of the local community group Obair, says the night has given them a glimmer of hope.
There are other reasons for optimism locally.
A €1.2 million investment into the Tradaree Social Food Enterprise is also progressing, which will see The Tradaree Arms become the home of the social food enterprise which will provide state of the art culinary training facilities, among other things.
With these new developments in mind, Newmarket Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat McMahon is confident their locality has a strong and viable future to look forward to.
