Nenagh’s military barracks for the property market

The Department of Defence is to put Nenagh’s military barracks site on the market once the issue of site ownership is resolved.

Last week’s meeting of Nenagh Municipal District heard that progress is being made with the long-running difficulty of title on the site. But councillors were urged to “be realistic” about the barracks building itself, District Director Marcus O’Connor believing the unpopular decision would have to be made to demolish the structure, which dates from the 1830s.

The barracks issue was raised by Cllr Séamie Morris, who wanted the local authority to set up a Zoom meeting with representatives of the department. Cllr Morris complained that the problem of vegetation on the barracks site growing into the nearby Hawthorns estate is not being addressed by the department. He also criticised the use of a timber plinth to fix a pier that crumbled on the entrance gate. “It looks terrible,” Cllr Morris observed.

Cllr Michael O’Meara hoped a way would be found to restore the barracks building to its former glory. He and Cllr Ger Darcy supported the call to improve the appearance of the town centre site, as did Cllr Hughie McGrath, who pointed out that the building is still standing even though people were told in 2005 that it would crumble in 10 to 15 years. He remarked that the fencing put around the barracks is there so long that it could be classed as a protected structure.

District Administrator Rosemary Joyce said the department intends to put the property on the market once it has secured registered title. The County Registrar’s office is to issue the title of ownership to the Minister for Defence.

Cllr O’Meara hoped that Tipperary Co Council would show interest in the site when it comes to the market. But Cllr Joe Hannigan asked if the people of Nenagh want to see the historic site being put up for sale.

“Is this a cop-out by the Department of Defence to say: ‘We're going to sell it’?” Cllr Hannigan asked. “We’re talking about selling a historic part of the town of Nenagh. Is that what should happen?”

‘A SUBSTANTIAL LIABILITY’

Ms Joyce made the point that discussions about the military barracks have been going on for decades. It is only in the last 12 months or so that the department has made moves to secure title.

Given the structural condition of the building, it would cost millions to bring the barracks back into use. “If we acquire it, we’re acquiring a substantial liability,” Ms Joyce warned.

Mr O’Connor said there would be “enormous cost” involved in rejuvenating the barracks. While it would not be a popular move, his view was that in the long-term the building “should be knocked”.

“We have to be realistic,” Mr O'Connor said. “That building is in no fit condition.”

He said there are other ways of preserving the history of the site that could be explored. Mr O’Connor also pointed out that the site was put on the open market 15 years ago and nothing came of it.

Cllr Morris said this was because the issue of ownership was not resolved. He was aware of interest in developing the site. But Cllr Morris said it is the responsibility of the Department of Defence to ensure that the site is safe, and this needs to be made clear to its representatives. He expressed concern that rodents living in the building would spread around the surrounding area if the barracks collapses.

Cllr O’Meara questioned if the barracks could be demolished if the building is a protected structure. It would have to be replaced with something that symbolises the history of the site, he said.

“I’d hate to see that building knocked down,” Cllr O’Meara told the meeting.

Mr O’Connor said it would be better to take the building down orderly and safely, rather than allowing it to fall down. The site is of strategic importance to the town and part of it could be used to expand the grounds of the nearby CBS, subject to planning.

Cllr Hannigan said he would welcome this. While not suggesting that Tipperary Co Council should purchase the site, he said it should not be possible for the department to sell it without at least some input from the local authority.