Council accused of ‘glacially-slow progress’ over Limerick bank

LIMERICK City and County Council’s “glacially-slow progress” over plans for the former Bank of Ireland in Bruff has led to misinformation and anger, heard a Kilmallock-Cappamore Municipal District meeting.

The former bank on the town’s main street was purchased by the council after it closed in 2021. Councillors backed a proposal over two years ago to turn the listed building into a remote working hub.

A sum €250,000 was granted from the Department of Rural and Community Development in December 2022. However, the building has lain idle since.

A meeting was called by Bruff, Grange, Meanus, Community Council for Tuesday, April 16.

A post on Facebook by an individual highlighting the public meeting said over €250,000 has been granted to the council to make the building a prime base for small businesses.

They also wrote that: “Bruff has been abandoned long enough and a public meeting of the people of our area is long overdue.”

Concern was expressed that “it is only a matter of time before we all hear the news that the council have sold the old bank from under the Bruff people’s noses”.

A large crowd of over 100 attended the meeting with a number of politicians, along with mayoral and local election candidates, in attendance.

Cathaoirleach Mike Donegan put down on the agenda for a “discussion on the development of Bank of Ireland, Bruff” at last Thursday’s Kilmallock-Cappamore Municipal District meeting - two days after the public meeting on Tuesday, April 16.

A council official clarified that the €250,000 grant money is only drawn down once the work is completed. They said the viability of an e-hub is “questionable” and that the building has “to wash its face”.

The council employee said they were approached by an interested party to look at the building and “that is as far as it has gone”.

They said it is “not currently for sale” and would have to go on the open market if it was offered for sale. The council official said they were “looking at all viable options” for the building.

Cllr Donegan said that answers a lot of the questions raised at the public meeting and stressed the importance of maintenance being carried out on the building amid reports the roof is leaking.

Cllr Brigid Teefy, who had asked for an update on the plans last year, said she would be guided by what the people of Bruff want.

Mayor Gerald Mitchell raised a proposal by local businessman James Beechinor outlined in last week’s Limerick Leader.

Mr Beechinor, who owns the properties on either side of the bank, has proposed to buy the building as part of a €3.5m investment and lease the bank back rent-free to the community council as a facility for the community.

His plans include a convenience store, apartments and a carpark with over 40 spaces for the town.

Cllr Mitchell said he had approached Mr Beechinor after he heard that the council had shown the building to a different interested party.

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“This plan sorts everything out. This is a viable plan,” said Cllr Mitchell, who added that the councillors have done their best for Bruff and a huge amount has been invested.

Cllr John Egan spoke of the success of the Abington Enterprise Centre. He said you can’t have the building lying idle in the centre of Bruff just waiting to fall down and collapse.

“There is a lot of anger. Engage with the community and get it moving,” said Cllr Egan.

Cllr Martin Ryan asked the council to put forward a list of opportunities and funding options. This was echoed by Cllr Donegan who asked for a feasibility study.

Cllr PJ Carey said there was a lot of misinformation which implied the grant of €250,000 was drawn down.

“If they had picked up the phone and asked us,” said Cllr Carey. He said the council’s “glacially-slow progress or lack thereof” has caused anger.

Cllr Mitchell said the lack of progress led to the misinformation.

A statement from Bruff, Grange, Meanus Community Council following the meeting read: “Upwards and onwards, and as mentioned at the meeting, Bruff keeps on bouncing back through community effort, the support of our local authorities and elected representative, long may it continue.”