Council told not to sell assets

A LOCAL council which is pressing ahead with plans for a €16 million sports complex has been warned about selling off further assets to pay for the project.

Killarney Town Council has agreed to raise a €3.5m loan to meet a shortfall for the complex, despite strong opposition.

Another option is the sale of assets, but the council has already sold the prime Jimmy the Master’s site for offices for a government department.

Asked if there were any further assets that could be disposed of, town clerk Michael O’Leary said there wasn’t “a whole lot realistically” except the cultural centre, the town hall itself, or car parks.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O’Leary opposed the raising of the €3.5m loan, saying it amounted to throwing good money after bad.

While the council is prepared to sell some of its assets, it is short of land for building houses.

Independent county councillor Brendan Cronin urged Killarney Town Council to think carefully before selling off some its assets, including potential housing land.

“The Killarney council has failed in bids to buy land. The housing list should be considered before it sells off its assets,” Mr Cronin said.