Work begins on vandalised Cork convent

Work is finally being carried out to prevent further vandalism of a former convent once earmarked for a multimillion-euro development.

Seven years ago, Cork County Council adopted a material contravention of the county development plan to grant permission to Irish & European Properties Ltd for redevelopment of the former Presentation Convent in Mitchelstown.

The plans included transforming the building into 52 apartments and an underground cinema.

However, the Dublin-based developers ran into difficulties and ended up in receivership.

Protection of the building, however, was not secured and vandalism took its toll.

Last summer, the county council had warned the owners they were in contravention of the Derelict Sites Act. When work was not carried out to secure the building, the council initiated legal proceedings.

At a district court sitting in Fermoy, Judge Brian Sheridan fined the company €2,500 for breaching the Derelict Sites Act.

Michael Cremin, a senior official with the council, said this week the company receiver had arrived on the site, after the court case, to ensure it was cleaned up and made secure.