The new service area will also have a convenience store, a service station forecourt, and an initial 8 ultra-Fast EV charging ports.

It will open this summer and plans to open Taco Bell outlets at a number of its Irish locations over the next five years.

Creeslough's original shop was the Applegreen Service Station which was completely destroyed in the huge blast.

The proposed development will form part of a larger redevelopment of 'Key Development Area’ lands involving the adjoining Donnelly Mirrors site and a joint masterplan has been prepared for the overall site.

Alan Melia (29) pleaded guilty to robbery at an Applegreen filling station in Co Down, and endangerment, dangerous driving and criminal damage at various locations on the M1 in Co Louth

Applegreen is creating more than 80 new jobs with an investment of €10 million in a new service area at the Clondrinagh Roundabout in Limerick