COUNCILLORS and members of the executive should be shown respect by Mayor John Moran for the work completed in the last term of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC).
That was the grievance aired by Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely at this Monday’s Metropolitan District meeting.
Cllr Kiely had a motion on the agenda seeking an update on the Mary Street Garda Station site, along with any other projects, schemes, or disposals that have been “delayed” due to reviews by the Mayor.
Days after submitting her proposal, she said, in the run up to this week’s statutory meeting, councillors received an email from Mayor Moran confirming that LCCC is retaining ownership of the former Garda Station.
It is understood that developers had already given a pledge of €1m to bring the Mary Street site back into use as an office complex, which previous Council members signed off on in May 2023.
However, Mayor Moran told Council members that now “the historic and strategic site is included in an ongoing process to develop an integrated urban strategy for the King’s Island area”.
The Mayor said that LCCC has received around €200,000 under the THRIVE (Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme) for the King’s Island area.
Speaking at City Hall this week, Cllr Kiely took the view that “to a cynic, you would be forgiven if you were to think someone was trying to get out ahead of this motion”.
She told the Council chamber that “we need to know if decisions made in the term of the last Council are being reversed by the new administration”, noting that the property had gone to market, exposed at current market value, and that proper processes had been followed.
Noting that the former Garda station has since been withdrawn from the sale, under agreement from the purchaser, Cllr Kiely asked whether “there been any compensation given to the purchaser as a result of getting this agreement?”
“What other projects are being reconsidered or amended since the new administration has taken over?”
The Fine Gael councillor went on to say that councillors and the executive should be shown respect for the work completed in the last term of the local authority.
Labour councillor Conor Sheehan was of the opinion, that in a roundabout way, Mayor Moran has actually found the use for Mary Street Garda Station that was originally sought by the Council.
“I think a better use has been found for this building and I’m delighted we’re retaining it because it’s a fantastic, historically important building. I would hate to see it turned into something like an office. I think there’s much more potential,” he said.
