Roscrea Stands Up is holding its first public meeting of 2015 tonight where it's expected to be standing room only once again in the Abbey Hall.
12 months on from when hundreds of people marched to the Garda station in an impromptu protest over the growing crisis in the town – spokesperson Derek Russell says there's been a real sea-change in the area- down to the hard work and dedication of local people.
The first meeting was to discuss issues that were crippling the town including drugs, anti social behaviour, chronic unemployment and a lack of social amenities and tourism incentives.
Out of that came – the movement Roscrea Stands Up organised and operated by locals with various groups tasked with formulating plans of action in a number of key areas.
All the local and government politicians came on board as did a number of high profile sporting and business figures with pledges of support and finance while a dedicated garda inspector was assigned to the town, resulting in a marked reduction of open drug dealing which had been destroying families.
Several projects are up and running while work on a new play park is set to begin shortly. According to Derek Russell they are also involved in another youth focused initiative. They hope to use part of the old Offray factory in the town as a sports hall.
Tonight the groups tasked with overseeing the various projects will give progress reports to what's expected to be a packed Abby Hall where its likely residents will be offering their input into the changes around Roscrea in the past year.
