Religious order to end ministry

AS TALKS on the completion of the sale of the Jesuit Church in Limerick continued yesterday, another religious order said they will discontinue ministering in the city in two years’ time.

However, the Franciscan Order said they will not be selling their church and friary at Henry Street, which will be retained for the benefit of Limerick’s citizens.

Franciscan Guardian Fr Philip said the people of Limerick had supported the order for over 700 years.

“There will be no sale of the friary ... We will want to do something meaningful with the building that will benefit the people of Limerick who have been so good to us for centuries.”

Fr Philip said there would be consultations before any decision is made about alternative use of the friary.

Meanwhile, talks to finalise the sale of the Jesuit Church and residence at The Crescent are believed to be at an advanced stage with at least one bidder.

Leading property developer Aidan Brooks has denied he is one of the bidders.

One bidder is believed to be former Cork hurler John O’Halloran, who purchased the Jesuit Crescent College building adjacent to the church. It now houses the Limerick Tutorial Centre.