Last week, Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed he had approved plans to demolish the old Cork prison on Rathmore Road, despite councillors voting unanimously at the end of September to put the site on its protected structures register.

In response, a Sinn Fein TD said: “This fight is not over. This building will be saved and we will fight for its place in Cork’s memory.”

Councillors are hoping to block plans to demolish the old Cork prison. Historians say it could be a major tourist attraction like Kilmainham Gaol or Spike Island. Amy Campbell looks back on its colourful history

Minister O’Callaghan said last week that he would listen to what local people have to say in relation to the plans to develop the former Cork prison on Rathmore Road into an extension to the current Cork prison.

Cork City Council last week voted unanimously to place the old Cork Prison on its protected structures register.

The Irish Prison Service has said that a tender for the works on the old Cork Prison will be issued later this year, which will inform the decision on whether to proceed with demolishing the building.

“This building is the last physical connection to those days that saw the start of a hunger strike that would echo around the globe and throughout time."

The 2025 annual report published by the Irish Prison Service showed the average number in custody in Cork Prison last year was 367, while bed capacity at year-end was just 297.

Jamie Crowley was being checked every 15 minutes by prison officers looking through the hatch in his cell door at the time of his death on March 14, 2024.

Cases have been adjourned into the future, due to the dispute over the Department of Justice’s decision to replace the current system of legal aid payments with a single flat fee per client, regardless of how many hearings the case requires.

'This is probably one of the most at-risk heritage sites in Cork city right now. There is an active proposal to demolish this historic building'