Bessborough Centre still in limbo

Uncertainty around the future of the Bessborough Centre continues to grow with the State being asked to buy the premises.

It was announced last month that the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary were selling the 40 acre site, which has also put the future of the services housed at the centre in doubt.

The historic and religious lands were discussed during a meeting of Cork City Council after Lorna Bogue, a Green Party councillor, wanted councillors to agree to request that the State purchase the Bessborough Centre in order to keep the facility in public ownership and “to prevent parts of the site, which are significant from the perspective of historical abuse, from being treated inappropriately”.

She also said there is a lot that isn't known about the site and described the history of the nearby Mother and Baby Home as very sad.

Workers' Party Cllr Ted Tynan, not for the first time, called the lands at the former Mother and Baby Home “a crime scene” and said he believes that the gardaí should carrying out a forensic investigation on the site.

Independent Cllr and historian Kieran McCarthy wanted a geophysical survey to be carried out in the area if there was any plans to build houses near it.

Speaking to the Cork Independent about the family services at the Bessborogh Centre, Fianna Fáil Cllr Mary Rose Desmond said clarity is needed.

She said: “There is massive levels of uncertainty regarding the services and the 100 plus staff currently employed. A number of services have been advised that they have to vacate the property by January, which is a massive worry for the continuation of services to the people that need them. The staff are in limbo at the moment.

“The child protection services and social workers down there are all very concerned. Some of them might end up being transferred elsewhere, so they don't even know where the services will be going,” she concluded.