Councillors oppose plan to demolish old Cork prison

Two Fine Gael Cork city councillors have joined elected members from Sinn Féin, smaller parties, and Independents in signing a letter opposing plans to demolish the old Cork Prison.

The letter sent to Cork City Council by Sinn Féin’s Kenneth Collins requests that chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan should object to the proposed demolition of the old Cork Prison.

The Irish Prison Service, on behalf of the minister for justice, Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan, has given notice of its intention to carry out demolition works at the old prison site in The Glen.

These demolition works will pave the way for plans for “a large extension” to the current Cork Prison, which opposition parties have described as a second prison.

The letter notes that the deadline for submission to the Irish Prison Service is July 3, and it asks that the council executive objects to the demolition “in the strongest possible terms”.

They suggest that the site be used to showcase Cork’s history or to benefit the community.

The letter was signed by Sinn Féin, the Green Party, Labour, Solidarity — People Before Profit, the Workers’ Party, Independent Ireland, and Independent councillors.

Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan and Gary O’Brien also added their names to the letter, but no Fianna Fáil councillors did so.