Planning permission for development was granted in June 2018 by a Council in which Reilly played a key role. Planning permission was granted in 2018 by Meath County Council in which Reilly played a key role. The SIPO hearing itself was postponed twice, including once following a request by Reilly just before the last local elections. Reilly, who served on Meath County Council from 1996 until he lost his seat in 2024, portrayed himself as a victim. He had asked his son “for what?” and Ciaran had told him he had bought land at Liscarton.