Kerry council managers refuse to delist St Finan's so it can be used for housing

The council meeting was told no land is available for house building because Killarney is surrounded by the Killarney National Park and a golf course

Removing the protected status of the huge idle Victorian building on a strategic site overlooking Killarney would allow the building to be converted more easily into apartments and the surrounding 20 or so acres of land to be used, the April meeting of the council was told. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Council management in Kerry have rejected a move to remove the protected status from St Finan’s former psychiatric hospital in Killarney to facilitate new homes.

Killarney has a severe shortage of housing land and large waiting lists for social and affordable homes. Currently there is no emergency accommodation for local families facing eviction.