Among the delegates at last weekend’s Sinn Fein Ard Fheis were James and Maureen Lynch, from Lisnaskea and their son, Sean, MLA. Also in the photo is their sister, Mary, who lives in Mayo and accompanied her parents to the event
ENNISKILLEN could have its rail network reinstated, if an all-Ireland plan put together by Sinn Fein gets the go-ahead.
The promoter of the plan, Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly member, Sean Lynch, was speaking to some 2,000 delegates at last week-end’s Ard Fheis in Castlebar where he chaired a session on transport.
He told them: “We need to accept that we do not have a rail network. Our idea of a ‘Western Arc’ project would see a Western rail network extending through from Belfast through Derry, Sligo, Knock, Galway to Shannon/Limerick.
“This project would go a very long way to re-establishing an all-Ireland rail network.”
Asked later how Enniskillen would benefit, Mr Lynch explained that, once the west and east coast were ‘railed’, linking in some of the major towns, such as Enniskillen would be the next step.
“If we could get a western arc, what you are doing is changing mindsets back to rail.”
He went on: “Such a project could also form the basis for redressing the disastrous effects of the economic collapse of the banking and construction sectors throughout the island.”
Speaking at congress, he regretted the set-back with the proposed A5 dual carriageway project, linking Aughnacloy with Derry, and insisted that this and the proposed Western Corridor from Belfast to Sligo, through Enniskillen must go ahead.
The road would by-pass Enniskillen via the Enniskillen Southern By-Pass, which is currently at the design stage.
Elsewhere in his address, he said the significant increase in fuel prices, emissions and congestion must be fairly addressed, and said Sinn Fein supported the E-Car roll out across Ireland, together with enhanced rural transport schemes in remote areas.
Among the delegates were Mr Lynch’s parents, James Josie (94) and Maureen (84) who live at Baltreagh, Lisnaskea.
The couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
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