Council ‘missed the bus’ by not buying Mallow sugar plant before its sale to local businessman

Cork County Council has ‘missed the bus’ in purchasing the former Irish sugar beet plant on the outskirts of Mallow after it emerged a well-known local businessman has beaten the local authority to it.

The news came as a bit of a bombshell to Mallow-based Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Hayes, who had urged senior officials to purchase the near 150-acre property, which was the country’s last sugar-processing factory until it closed by Greencore on May 12, 2006, with the loss of 240 jobs.

Speaking at this week’s Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District meeting Mr Hayes said the council could acquire the site, with the financial help of the Land Development Agency, and use it for a mix of housing, industrial development and associated community infrastructure.

“Mallow has been identified by Cork County Council and the National Planning Framework as a key growth town. Our own County Development Plan recognises that Mallow will continue to grow, and with that growth comes the responsibility to plan for homes, jobs and infrastructure. It’s my understanding that the site is still available,” said Mr Hayes.

“If that is the case, I believe the council should explore every opportunity to secure this strategically important site in the public interest. The LDA have deep pockets at the moment,” Mr Hayes said.

Fianna Fáil leader on the council Gearóid Murphy seconded his motion saying the site has huge potential, and apart from housing could also provide much needed land for industry as it still has a railway spur line connection.

Crying out

Charleville-based Fianna Fáil council Ian Doyle said the region is crying out for more industrial zoned land as all of it in his hometown is occupied.

Fine Gael councillor Tony O’Shea then interjected saying it had already been purchased by a local businessman. He later confirmed to The Echo that the businessman is Eddie Sheehan.

He said he’d be meeting with Mr Sheehan next week to see what plans he has for the site, but at this stage believes it will be a mixed-use project and will definitely not include a solar farm.

“I will be meeting with him to discuss his plans, and I will urging the council to work with him to maximise the site’s potential. I’ve been liaising with Greencore (the now former owners) for the last few years and keeping a close eye on it as it’s a very strategic site,” he said.

Auctioneers Lisney put the land up for sale on behalf of Greencore in 2023 with a then price tag of €2.2 million.

Mr O’Shea said he knew four weeks ago from Greencore sources that the deal had finally been closed, although he does not know the final price paid for the land.