Johnstown in Meath 'left behind' as new Navan community centre secures funding

Meath County Council's planned community centre at Cluain Adain is set to receive €400,000 under the 2025 Community Recognition Fund. In total, four projects across Meath have been awarded €696,496, as part of a national package of €17m for 212 community initiatives across the country. The scheme supports communities that have welcomed new arrivals in recent years.
Senator Linda Nelson Murray welcomed the funding for Cluain Adain, but noted the ongoing demand for more community infrastructure in Navan.
'Navan is really struggling for community buildings, we don't have enough places for the elderly to go and be together, we don't have enough places for the youth to go, so the fact there is going to be a new community building built near Clauin Adain, which is a brand new housing estate, is very welcome news,' she said.
'However, I think we need more community centres; one in the Johnstown area, and one in the centre of the town.'
Her call was echoed by Independent Councillor Alan Lawes, who said Johnstown has been overlooked for too long.
'Any new community centre is always welcome but people in Johnstown feel left behind. The town has about 12,000 people living in it but there's still no community centre,' said Cllr Lawes.
'We have clubs like boxing or dancing clubs with no home. All these community groups have nowhere to call home….they need somewhere to call home. Every population should have one.'
Meanwhile Minister for Education and Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, also welcomed the announcement.
'This investment will empower our communities to become more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, making them better places to live, raise families, and socialise,' she said on a post on social media.
Ms McEntee added: 'Congratulations to the community groups in Meath listed who have been the driving force behind the successful applications. I look forward to seeing the completed projects and the benefits they will bring to our local communities.'
The four Meath projects to receive funding under the scheme are:
Meath County Council's new community building in Cluain Adain (€400,000)
Flexibus, Navan, for a new wheelchair-accessible bus (€146,496)
Ashbourne and District Community Council CLG (€80,000)
Cushinstown Athletic Club, Duleek, for facility upgrades (€70,000).

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