No need for Cork search and recovery group to move until new home found for it, council says

There had been concerns Cork City Missing Persons Search And Recovery would be displaced by new docklands development plans

Grahan Wheatley, Derry Falvey and Chris O'Donovan of Cork City Missing Persons Search And Recovery with Mallow Search and Rescue members on the river at Kennedy Quay last year. Cork City Council has proposed to provide for a new home, on the river, for the group before it begins works on the North Docks. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Cork City Missing Persons Search And Recovery will not be required to move from its current home until a new location is found, the council has confirmed.

There had been concerns it would be displaced by new docklands development plans.

Labour’s John Maher proposed at a Cork City Council meeting that it commit, in consultation with Cork City Missing Persons Search And Recovery (CCMPSAR), to providing a space for a new home, on the river, for the group before it begins works on the North Docks.

Niall Ó Donnabháin, the council’s director of planning and integrated development, said the council recognises “the essential work” of CCMPSAR.

“Cork City Council engaged with CCMPSAR prior to the development of the Cork Docklands Framework Plan and have continued ongoing engagement with them in respect to the plans for the North Quays and future use of the river.

“Port Of Cork have agreed in principle to transfer the quay, including the North Quays, to Cork City Council but for now they are still the current owner of North Quays and have an arrangement with CCMPSAR for their use of Dowdall Buildings (large green shed on Horgan’s Quay),” Mr Ó Donnabháin said.

“While Cork City Council is progressing plans to redevelop Horgan’s Quay, as per the granted Part VIII planning, to create a world-class riverside public realm, we are also committed to working with CCMPSAR to secure a long-term home for their needs.

“In the interim CCMPSAR will not be required to relocate from the Dowdall Buildings until suitable alternate facilities have been identified.”