Old Cork Prison handed death sentence
The old Cork Prison has been handed a sentence of demolition to make way for a new prison despite strong local opposition.
The decision was confirmed on Tuesday by Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD, sparking outrage from local politicians including Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould who labelled the move “disgraceful”.
At the end of September, Cork City Council voted to add the structure on Rathmore Road to the Register of Protected Structures, a process that takes around six months.
However, the minister’s decision, which was also confirmed by the Irish Prison Service (IPS), has scuppered plans to save the structure.
“What a shameful day for the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Justice,” said Teachta Gould.
“I want to be clear. The Minister for Justice’s decision does not represent the people of Cork, the people of Ireland, or even the members of his own party who have stood up for Cork’s Kilmainham in the face of a wrecking ball.
“While he has u-turned on the full demolition of this site, the reality is that he instead wants to lock away the memory of our martyred dead. It suits those in power to force us to forget those who stood up to power. I will fight tooth and nail to stop this from happening,” he said.
The old Cork Prison has been the centre of controversy since May when the Department of Justice first announced its intentions to demolish the structure and construct a new prison in its place with a capacity of up to 230 male and 100 female prisoners.
On Tuesday, Minister O’Callaghan approved plans submitted by the IPS for conservation and demolition works at the former Cork Prison site as part of the Cork Prison Extension Project, following completion of the statutory Part 9 planning process.
According to the Department of Justice, the plans, which were revised following a public consultation, will see the project proceed in such a way that retains the buildings and structures of the old prison site identified as being of historical and architectural significance.
The plans will retain a number of structures and features of the former prison considered to be of particular architectural and historical significance, including the main entrance’s historic gatehouse; the cell occupied by Thomas Kent; A-Wing and B-Wing immediately adjoining the entrance; and the stone bastion features and identified sections of the historic prison walls.
Minister O’Callaghan said: “The Cork Prison Extension Project forms an important part of the national prison building programme. I am committed to this project and determined that it progresses in a way that is sensitive to the historical significance of the former prison site.
“I have carefully considered the views expressed during the public consultation process and I am satisfied that the approach being taken strikes an appropriate balance between protecting the site's heritage and delivering essential prison infrastructure.”