Covid-19 delaying closure of deal on Dún Mhuire
WEXFORD County Council has not yet closed a deal on the purchase of Dun Mhuire Theatre in South Main Street but expects to do so soon.
Deputy Chief Executive Tony Larkin told Sinn Féin councillor Tom Forde at a Wexford District Council meeting said the paperwork has been slow due to current restraints, preventing the local authority from finalising the contract.
‘We would hope to be doing that quite soon,’ said the council boss, adding that he has met most of the user groups at the old theatre building which was saddled with rising debts and in need of major repairs.
‘Most of the groups are happy with the arrangements made – we are still in discussions with one or two. A number of them are going to the Opera House and others are seeking accommodation elsewhere.’
The council has agreed to buy the building from the parish of Wexford to facilitate plans for the revitalisation of South Main
Street, including the old Tesco supermarket and shopping mall site, to increase the commercial and amenity value of the area.
Cllr. David Hynes said Alcoholics Anonymous were looking at a couple of premises to use instead of a room in Dun Mhuire Hall but the search has been delayed by Covid-19. Cllr. Leonard Kelly asked if council members could see drawings of the plans. ‘There are no architectural drawings at the moment, only some concept drawings of the Main Street end. We had intended to bring it to the members by now. I will arrange a report for the next meeting and if there are any plans by then, they be brought forward’, said Mr. Larkin.