McDowell’s plans for Spike Island super-prison a mistake, says minister

A GOVERNMENT minister said yesterday that Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s plans to build a controversial super-prison on Spike Island in Cork Harbour are a mistake.

Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern, called on Mr McDowell to allow time to examine alternative sites for a Munster prison, and to establish what effect the prison would have on multi-million Government plans for a tourism, residential and commercial development at neighbouring Haulbowline.

Those plans include the development of 200 apartments, a marina with more than 200 berths and a clubhouse, a 300-bed hotel and a maritime museum.