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.

Earlier this month, Mr McDowell said he expected to make a decision soon on whether to give the prison project the green light.

Campaigners against the super-prison have said if the island’s tourism potential was tapped properly, it could become Ireland’s version of Alcatraz.

Agreeing, Mr Ahern said the prison plans should be fully reviewed to take into account possible adverse effects it would have on the Haulbowline development.

“The project envisaged for Haulbowline would be among the largest projects in the State. This will be of huge significance for Cobh.

“As a consequence of this massive development, I believe the decision to build a prison on Spike Island across from Haulbowline is a mistake,” he said. He added that the future of Spike Island as a tourist destination should form part of any review of the prison decision.