A PUBLIC toilet located at the bottom of Castle Hill at the Abbey Square has been scrapped after 20 years, due to costing the Town Council a staggering €17-18,000 a year.

The council decided to get rid of the Portaloo about two years ago, engaging in discussions over that period and informing operators JC Decaux well in advance.

Town Clerk Padraig O’Gorman said that the toilet had been “costing too much as it doesn’t bring in a great amount”, estimating that its annual takings were just roughly €1,000 a year.

He added that the closure of the Portaloo should not be a problem as there is a second one available in the old Dunnes Stores car park.

Additionally, toilet facilities in the Castle and Presentation centre have recently been made available to the public.