Planners make decision on new city centre base for Limerick Suicide Watch

A CHARITY led by volunteers who provide support to people in distress on Limerick’s riverside has secured permission for a city centre base.

Limerick Suicide Watch has secured conditional planning permission from the council to change a former motor factors building at Naughton’s Place, just off Henry Street, into a permanent home for its night-time volunteers.

It’s anticipated the facility will serve as a secure location for the storage of life-saving equipment, and a space for volunteers to gather and co-ordinate their evening and late night patrols.

READ MORE: Gritting truck knocks wall outside house while treating Limerick roads for black ice

In documents provided to the council in support of the application, agents for the charity outlined when the facility would operate.

These are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 8pm and 1.30am.

These reflect the nights the group’s volunteers are active in the city centre.

On other evenings in the city, another group, Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention provide patrols.

Occasional daytime access will be required on weekdays for administration and equipment purposes.

“The premises will be staffed entirely by trained volunteers, with no permanent employees. Maximum occupancy at any one time will be 10 volunteers,” the group, through its agents, wrote in a letter to council planners.

On top of the change of use of the centre in Naughton’s Place, the application also provides for car parking in an area adjacent which is currently fenced off.

One local person objected to the proposal, highlighting concerns over the use of the building, suggesting an industrial estate might be a better fit for Limerick Suicide Watch.

However, council afforded conditional planning permission, subject to a number of conditions.