McDonalds gets approval for two outlets as Cork grandmother opposes Carrigaline branch

Grounds for the objections to new McDonalds restaurants include health concerns and proximity to creches

As part of its continuing Irish expansion, McDonalds is seeking planning permission for a restaurant at Carrigaline in Co Cork.

Fast food giant McDonalds has secured planning permission for a further two drive-thrus in Tipperary and Wexford as part of its continuing Irish expansion.

This follows Tipperary Co Council granting planning permission for a new McDonalds drive-thru fast food restaurant on lands at Slievenamon Road and Thurles Relief Rd in Thurles despite health concerns expressed by some objectors.

Wexford Co Council has granted planning permission for a McDonalds drive-thru at Portersland, New Ross Co Wexford.

Tipperary Co Council granted planning permission after concluding that the scheme would not not have an adverse impact upon the character of the area or the amenities of adjoining properties.

The green light for the Thurles and New Ross outlet follows local authorities granting planning permission for new McDonald's drive-thru outlets in Westmeath and Waterford earlier this year.

However, those plans are stalled after sole objectors in each case lodged appeals with An Bord Pleanála against the council planning permissions.

Objection to new Cork McDonalds

As part of its continuing Irish expansion, McDonalds also has an additional planning application at Carrigaline in Co Cork.

Three objections have been lodged against the proposal including one from local resident and grandmother, Linda Glennon, who outlined health concerns in relation to the Carrigaline outlet.

Ms Glennon said that “the proximity of this outlet and the visibility of its signage could exacerbate ongoing issues related to childhood obesity and negative behaviour patterns. I urge the council to consider the health implications not only for my family”.

McDonalds has also lodged plans a make-over of its flagship outlet on Dublin’s on 62 O'Connell Street Upper which was first opened in 1979.

Objections to new McDonalds in Thurles 

In relation to the Thurles proposal, in one objection, Ronan Spain of Carraig Donn, Clongour, Thurles, told the council that “as a father of two young children, I object to the development of a fast food restaurant on health grounds, particularly as we are in the midst of an obesity crisis in this country, where one in five children aged under five is obese according to a study referenced on the HSE website on October 10th 2024".  

In their joint objection, Ronan and his wife Karen Spain state that the proposed site is located near a creche/montessori facility and public health policy in a lot of counties dictates that fast food outlets should not be built within 300 metres of creche facilities or schools.

Chris Delahunt echoed the health concerns cited by the Spains in his own objection against the proposal.

In another objection, Paul Ryan from The Mall, Thurles, told the council that the proposal is in conflict with public health policy in that there is a creche 150 yards away.

Mr Ryan said: “I and my family live 150 yards from this proposed McDonalds development. It is also 100 yards from my place of work, a doctors' surgery.” He said: 

Having a fast food outlet is of no help at all in our efforts to promote healthier lifestyles. 

Asked to comment on those objecting to the planned drive-thru on health grounds, a McDonalds spokeswoman said previously: “Our customers are at the heart of every choice we make which is why we’ve been providing nutritional information on our menu for over 30 years.

She added: “We continue to evolve our menu to ensure our customers can make informed decisions, with 54% of our menu now classified as non-HFSS (not high in fat, salt or sugar) and 89% of our items in our core menu containing under 500 calories.

She said: “As a business, McDonald’s prides itself on being a good neighbour in the communities in which it operates, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Council and local residents to mitigate any concerns raised.”