Tempers and tensions were high at a meeting of the Loughrea and Gort/Kinvara area councillors today over funding for a public swimming pool.

A motion put forward by Councillor Shane Curley was labelled as ‘disappointing’ by all other nine councillors.

The Fianna Fáil councillor suggested ring-fencing the additional discretionary one million euro fund from an increase in Local Property Tax, for a public swimming pool in Loughrea.

However, his fellow councillors felt blindsided by the proposal, citing that there were many worthy, and more ‘shovel-ready’ projects deserving of a slice of the pie.

Sarah Slevin reports from Loughrea: