Tipperary County Council plans to build 4 new social houses on Fr Matthew Street in Tipperary town have been disrupted by the discovery of human remains at the site.
Preliminary site investigation work revealed some human bones at the site leading to more extensive excavation works in a green space to the rear of the site.
The detailed examination of the site has revealed 10 skeletal remains that are thought to date from the 16th Century.
The site is close to a Holy Well known as Tobair Breda or St Bridget’s Well, rediscovered in 1991, and situated behind a vacant former restaurant.
The area is known as the Spittal.
Cllrs at today’s Tipperary Cahir Cashel MD meeting were informed of the situation when Cllr Anne Marie Ryan asked for an update on the 4 house project.
Cllr officials from the Housing Department say the archaeologists report is being reviewed by the National Monuments Service at present and the future use of the site will be decided after their advice has been considered by the Council.
The four planned houses are the only current social housing project in the town although an approved housing body is expected to purchase 16 houses in the new Housing Development on the Dundrum Road.
