The March4Tipp group is appealing to the Cashel and Emly Diocesan Trust to contact them over the future of the historic Bridewell prison building and exercise yard in Tipperary town.
The group believes that the Tipperary Town Task Force, which is to focus on promoting the town’s heritage as a particular part of its work, has the potential, through its government sponsorship, to make the Bridewell an important attraction to visitors and tourists if such a project were deemed feasible.
However, the local authority recently approved a 20-year lease of part of the premises to the St Michael’s Diocesan Committee, despite the opposition of March4Tipp councillor Annemarie Ryan and Sinn Fein’s Tony Black.
March4Tipp is now appealing to the diocese to engage with them on the matter and to pause any moves towards leasing the women’s prison block and exercise yard until those discussions have happened.
Cllr Ryan this morning warned against the building falling out of council control.
