Gardaí continues to investigate West Cork convent fire

by



[ad_1]

Gardaí investigating a massive fire that destroyed an iconic convent and chapel in West Cork has asked for witnesses as his forensic examination will continue for a second day.

A garda spokesperson said they are still keeping an open mind about the cause of the fire that destroyed the former convent and chapel on the grounds of the former Sisters of Mercy campus on Cork Rd in Skibbereen on Tuesday.

Sleeping bags were found in the former Mercy Heights school building at the rear of campus, a building that was not damaged.

But garda’s investigations into what caused the fire that destroyed the two interconnected buildings will take longer.

Forensic experts spent yesterday combing through the remains of the buildings and specialists are being recruited to assist in the examination which is expected to continue through Thursday.

The chapel of the former Sisters of Mercy convent that was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon in Skibbereen, West Cork. Image: Dan Linehan
The chapel of the former Sisters of Mercy convent that was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon in Skibbereen, West Cork. Image: Dan Linehan

Gardai said they would like to hear from anyone who was in the Skibbereen area of ​​Cork St between 3:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, and for anyone with camera footage of the area between those hours, contact the Clonakilty Garda station at 023 882 1570.

Skibbereen, Bantry and Schull firefighters spent several hours tackling the fire after the alarm was raised shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday. There were no injuries.

Building of the old Convent of La Merced. Photo: Denis Boyle
Building of the old Convent of La Merced. Photo: Denis Boyle

The fire broke out less than two weeks after Cork City Council granted planning permission for a 10 million euro commercial and residential remodel of the site.

Remcoll 3 Ltd received permission to renovate and modernize the chapel, to include desk space, to convert the convent into seven apartments, to convert the former Mercy Heights school into office space and to build a four-story apartment block with 52 apartments .

It is unclear if the fire will affect development proposals. The architects who handled the planning request did not respond to requests for comment.

The proposed development on the site of the former convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Skibbereen
The proposed development on the site of the former Sisters of Mercy convent in Skibbereen

A document in the planning file, dated August 2019, shows that local developer Bernard Hennessy owned the site. In a handwritten letter, he said that he had reached an agreement to sell the property and had given his full consent to the applicant and his agent acting on his behalf to apply for planning permission.

The convent dates from 1857. The chapel, designed by the renowned architectural firm EW Pugin and GC Ashlin, and built by William Murphy of Bantry, was consecrated on April 30, 1868.

The order’s 144-year connection to Skibbereen ended in 2004, and Mercy Heights ceased to be a school in 2016 when the city’s three post-elementary schools merged.

Photographed at the scene after the fire in the old Mercy Convent building and where they all went to school are the ladies of Skibbereen and now also teachers Michelle O'Brien, Mary Lordan and Orla O'Sullivan. All the girls have fond memories of their time at school in the old convent. Denis Boyle frame
Photographed at the scene after the fire in the old Mercy Convent building and where they all went to school are the ladies of Skibbereen and now also teachers Michelle O’Brien, Mary Lordan and Orla O’Sullivan. All the girls have fond memories of their time at school in the old convent. Denis Boyle frame

In 2007, a site planning request was granted for a two-screen cinema, 67 apartments, and a multi-story car park. A year later, permission for amendments was granted to that 2007 grant.

While work began a year later, they were abandoned shortly thereafter and the site has lain in ruins ever since.

[ad_2]