COUNCIL CALLED ON TO PURCHASE FORMER BARRACKS’ SITE
The former Fitzgerald Barracks' site in Fermoy has been described as ‘derelict’, ‘overgrown’ and ‘a shame’ as local councillor William O’Leary this week tabled a motion that would see Cork County Council purchase the portion of land and buildings on the site which is currently retained by the Department of Defence.
Currently, the Department of Defence retains one hectare of an overall ten acres site, with the said one hectare containing the old barracks buildings, located near the Queen of Peace Church on the R639 Dublin Road.
According to the councillor, he has made a number of enquiries to the Department of Defence seeking that they clean up the site initially, as well as asking about the potential to refurbish the buildings for community use. Cllr O’Leary said that he also made enquiries with Cork County Council on the matter.
“I think we should be ambitious with the site. There’s definitely use there for it in Fermoy. A number of different groups have an interest in it, our council is well aware of that fact,” Cllr O’Leary stated this week.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Fermoy Municipal District, the Rathcormac councillor outlined that the Department responded positively to engaging on the matter with the local authority. However, said they that would not be prepared to engage directly with the public or local community.
Pointing to the former FCA Hall in Mitchelstown, Cllr O’Leary commended the council’s acquisition and work here and asked that if an opportunity arises again for such funding, that it be used to purchase the former Fitzgerald Barrack’s site.
“I think it is important to highlight the issue. If an opportunity did arise, we should go Gung-Ho and pursue it. That whole site by the Queen of Peace Church is a beautiful site. I think it’s definitely an opportunity. There would definitely, definitely be use for it in this town,” Cllr O’Leary said.
'ROBUST BUSINESS CASE'
Municipal District Officer Margaret O’Donoghue responded to the motion, stating that the cost of acquisition would be ‘only one part’ of the consideration.
“Cork County Council is bound by the requirements of the Public Spending Code, and the renovation and refurbishment costs would also have to be funded and a robust business case put forward. Cork County Council has to be satisfied that it is not taking on a future liability,” she said.
Cllr Frank O’Flynn supported the motion from Cllr O'Leary, noting the history and heritage of the location.
He also highlighted that the site has been discussed on numerous occasions ever since the Barrack closed and asked that the council write to the site owners, requesting that they maintain it.
NO LONG-TERM PLAN
The condition of the site, Cllr Noel McCarthy outlined, is ‘getting worse and worse’ as he outlined how overgrown it has become and noted the upset it is likely causing members of Post 25 and ex-soldiers of the barracks.
“I can understand Cork County Council’s problem of funding and so on, but I really think the Department of Defence should be giving over the site to Cork County Council without any cost and let us make the plan for it going forward.
“It’s been like this since the army left, it’s getting worse and worse. There has been no longterm plan from the Department of Defence to do anything with it,” Cllr McCarthy said.
Municipal District Officer Margaret O’Donoghue confirmed that she would write to the Department of Defence regarding the maintenance of the site and will make councillors aware of any upcoming funding streams.