Plan to turn old Limerick railway station into base for local first aid group

WHEELS have been put in motion to turn the former railway station in Kilmallock into a base for the South Limerick branch of the Red Cross.

There have been numerous calls and efforts to reopen the station over the decades since it closed in 1976. However, it has continued to lay idle.

Cllr PJ Carey put down a motion at the March meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District that the local authority engages with Iarnrod Eireann to discuss the possibility of leasing Kilmallock Railway Station “with a view to subletting to the local branch of the Red Cross following recent communication received”.

In a reply to the motion, Trevor McKechnie, senior executive engineer, said the municipal district office will liaise with the property and community facilities department to determine the formal procedures required to assist in the delivery of this motion.

“Limerick City and County Council will not be in a position to provide any budgetary support for any improvement works that may be required at the property. It should also be noted that costs that would be incurred in organising a lease such as legal fees etc would be borne by the Irish Red Cross,” said Mr McKechnie.

Cllr Carey’s motion was seconded by Cathaoirleach Mike Donegan, who offered his support to Cllr Carey and the South Limerick branch of the Red Cross.

Cllr John Egan said there was previously a big meeting in Kilmallock about reopening the station. Cllr Donegan said Irish Rail told them two years ago it would have to be built on a greenfield site.

Cllr Carey said the site currently doesn’t have water, sewerage or power but the Red Cross is happy to proceed.

Cllr Brigid Teefy said the South Limerick branch has been looking for a premises for ages.

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Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Carey said that last year he requested that larnrod Eireann / CIE would grant a lease of the vacant railway station in Kilmallock to be used as a base for the group.

“They agreed in principle, as long as the project was promoted by Limerick City and County Council. After this, l met with the regional manager of CIE and some members of the local Red Cross who, after viewing the building, wished to proceed, aware of the large budget required to renovate,” said Cllr Carey.

Now that the motion has passed, he said: “Still a bit to go to bring this historic building back into use but it is all very positive.”