Plans for the development of a mosque and an Islamic cultural centre in Kilkenny City have been rejected by An Board Pleanala.

Kilkenny County Council had originally granted planning permission for a two-story mosque with a dome; a halal cafe; a community centre; two guest apartments; two four-bedroom houses; classrooms; a shop and a mortuary.

But forty objections were lodged against the mosque plans; with many raising concerns about traffic congestion.

However members of the Muslim community feel that traffic congestion has been used as a smokescreen, after many celebratory comments were made on the Kilkenny Islamic Centres Facebook page.

Our reporter Barry Whyte has been to Kilkenny City...