Permission for KFC restaurant near Navan school sparks row

The prospect of a new fast food restaurant opening in Navan, Co. Meath, has caused controversy.

KFC has been given planning permission for a new drive-thru restaurant close to the entrance of the town's Mercy primary and secondary schools.

The proposal is being welcomed in some quarters because it will create an estimated 40 jobs.

Mary Mulligan, principal of St. Joseph’s Convent of Mercy, said she has concerns about the potential effect a ready supply of fast food might have on her pupils' health.

She said: "If you can imagine it, if yu drive to the scholl right beside you a Kentucky Fried Chicken.

"From the moment they come in we stress to them, we have so many sports clubs here in the school, we do everything we can to promote a healthy lifestyle to them.

"The whole contradiction of once they pass that (KFC) and then they come in and there's a whole different philosophy and theory 100 yards later."