Final flush for public toilet eyesore

One of Cork City’s worst public toilet eyesores is to be demolished.

The city council rubber-stamped a decision on Monday to demolish the two public toilet hut structures on Merchants Quay.

The move follows a request from Cllr Chris O’Leary (SF) for the city to knock the public toilets and to develop a coffee pod or a newsstand in the area with a view to generating extra revenue for the city.

However, officials examined his proposal and ruled out the commercial element.

The gents and wheelchair-accessible toilets have been on Merchants Quay for decades but have been derelict for years since the installation of automatic toilets on the Grand Parade.

A report to the council on Monday said efforts had been made to generate alternative uses for the structures.

“Among options considered were the uses proposed by Cllr O’Leary,” the report said.

“However, using the pods located on the Grand Parade as a yardstick, it was concluded that in view of their location and accessibility constraints, the development of commercial units at this [Merchants Quay] site would not, in the current economic climate, justify the necessary investment.”

Due to their visual impact and lack of sustainable justifiable use, it was proposed to arrange demolition, it said.

The council’s roads department will reinstate the vacated area in keeping with the existing landscape, councillors were told.

City manager Tim Lucey said the demolition was the best option and councillors backed the move.

However, Cllr Brian Bermingham (FG) suggested replacing the toilets with a fishing pod.

“We could take advantage of the pristine waters in the Lee now and develop a pod for fishermen.”

Party colleague Cllr John Buttimer said the city should consider developing a quay-side coffee pod on St Patrick’s Quay on the opposite side of the river, where buses and coaches stop. “The footfall on Merchants Quay is not what it could be. We don’t do enough to bring people to the river in this part of the city centre,” he said.