Taoiseach says he knows 'full well' the importance of preserving heritage of historic prison inmates

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould recently raised the proposed demolition of the old Cork Prison with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil.

Mr Martin said that he was a republican, and comes “from a republican family, members of which served in the IRA and in Cumann na mBan contemporaneously with Terence MacSwiney and Tomás Mac Curtain.

“I know full well the necessity and importance of conserving and preserving their legacy and heritage, as we have done by naming various parts and dimensions of our city after both lord mayors.” 

He did not respond to Mr Gould asking if he will commit not to demolish the old Cork Prison.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Gould said that the Taoiseach “could not bring himself to defend the proposal to demolish" the building.

“Naming places after people is important, but it is not the only way we should honour their legacy. This site could be a place for children from across Cork and across the world to learn the story of two men who sacrificed everything for our city and for Ireland.

“Ard Mhéara MacSwiney spent his first night on hunger strike wearing the chain of Cork City. The Taoiseach himself has worn this chain and understands the weight of it.

As current Ard Mhéara, Damian Boylan said, the chain holds two weights. There is the physical weight and then there is the weight of the history. 

He added: “I hope that the Taoiseach will now reconsider his position. He has said it is late in the day to save this building but it is never too late to do the right thing.”