Three members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have resigned from the newly formed Kesh Development Association (KDA) after receiving legal advice that their involvement created a conflict of interest, particularly around the Mantlin Playing Fields site.

Last month, the council decided to restart the process for disposing of land at Mantlin Road, Kesh, after local residents raised concerns that they had no prior knowledge of proposals for a housing development. DUP councillor David Mahon had tabled a motion to reverse the earlier decision, after the KDA confirmed there was no record of any discussions about its submission on the playing fields.

Shortly afterwards, the entire KDA board resigned and was replaced by 16 new members who strongly opposed the sale and urged the council to abandon the plans. In June 2026, the KDA formally withdrew its previous expression of interest in acquiring and developing the council’s surplus land at Mantlin Road, and the process was restarted. The new committee was given time to engage with council officials.

At the most recent council meeting, Ulster Unionist councillor John McClaughry informed members that he had resigned his position as an ex-officio member of the KDA. He said he was disappointed to have had to take the step but believed it was the best way to represent the association and the wider Kesh community.

His party colleague, councillor Rosemary Barton, confirmed she had also resigned. She said the council’s own rules, as set out by the legal advice, prevented elected members from representing their communities in this situation, and she had resigned so she could continue to represent her constituents.

DUP councillor David Mahon, who first brought the Mantlin Playing Fields matter to the council’s attention, indicated he had stepped down for the same reasons.