Cork fire: Call for safety audit on public properties

A county councillor is seeking a safety audit on all old public buildings, amid fears recent arson attacks on publicly-owned properties in West Cork and Cork city could lead to further destruction.

Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan asked council officials to draw up a list of ageing buildings, in disuse, under its control and outlined if they were in a secured state.

His concerns arose after a fire destroyed the Georgian Beechgrove House off Fernhill Road in Clonakilty three weeks ago, and compounded by this week’s incident at the old St Kevin’s hospital on the Lee Road in Cork city.