More than 80 submissions made in relation to plans for old Cork Prison site

The Irish Prison Service has confirmed it received more than 80 submissions in relation to the proposed demolition of the old Cork Prison, as Cork City Council management says the lack of clarity in plans for the site poses “a significant concern”.

The Irish Prison Service, on behalf of justice minister Jim O’Callaghan, gave notice last month of its intention to carry out demolition works at the old prison site in The Glen.

Submissions to the plans closed on July 3, and no due date for a decision is available as of yet.

Mr O’Callaghan confirmed this week that 84 submissions from the public have been made, adding that “due consideration will be given to each submission”.

The information was provided to Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould, who said: “This process was made extremely difficult. At first, only postal submissions were accepted before eventually, with less than 24 hours to go and after a battle with the Irish Prison Service, email submissions were accepted.

“That 84 organisations, families, individuals, and stakeholders managed to overcome these barriers is great news.”

Accusations of 'project splitting'

The plans only cover the demolition of the old jail building, leading to accusations of “project splitting”, after Mr O’Callaghan last year announced plans for “a large extension” to the current facility, to accommodate 330 inmates.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, Sinn Féin’s Kenneth Collins asked council management if they supported the plans.

Niall Ó Donnabháin, director of planning and integrated development, said: “There is no clarity as to what is being replaced by the demolition of the building, and we have raised concerns with the Department of Justice in that regard.

“The replacement of the old prison we would have expected, but detail on that was not provided, so we could only assess what was in front of us.”

“The demolition would pose a significant concern to council,” he said, adding a submission has been made by management to this effect.

No masterplan

Mr Ó Donnabháin also confirmed that no masterplan exists for the old Cork Prison site, despite the Cork City Development Plan saying that development proposals in this zone “must provide high-quality built and landscaped environments that have regard to the local receiving environment”.

“Institutions and facilities in this zone would benefit from a masterplan-led approach to developing their lands and facilities, and are encouraged to engage with Cork City Council in this regard”.

A letter is also to be sent to Mr O’Callaghan from the council after a motion by John Maher passed unanimously.

The letter will state the council’s objection to the building of any prison extension, calling on the Government to use the space for housing, community, and a heritage or cultural space.

Concern about demolishing the site given its historical value, particularly as the location where Thomas Kent was executed, was raised by councillors.