Thomas Gould
Question:4. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proposed process and timeline for the two new prisons in the Glen, Cork city. [70856/26]
View answerWednesday, 7 October 2026
Questions (4)
Oral answers (13 contributions)
Will the Minister update the Dáil on the processed process and timelines for the development of two new prisons at the Glen, Cork city, on the site of the former Cork detention centre?
I thank the Deputy very much for his question. There is no plan for two prisons at the Glen in Cork city. There is a plan to extend the existing prison. We need greater prison capacity because we have overcrowding in our prisons. For the purposes of answering the Deputy's question thoroughly, I will give him the statistics from today. We have 5,444 people in custody in our prisons, meaning the system is at 114% of its capacity. There are 364 people in Cork Prison, which is regrettably at 120% of its capacity. As I am sure the Deputy will agree, it is clearly the case that we need greater capacity in our prison system.
The proposed project for the extension of the existing Cork Prison is part of the accelerated delivery programme for which I have managed to get the agreement of the Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Chambers. While it is still at an early planning stage, planning for the Cork Prison project is continuing. The new prison facility on the site of the old decommissioned Cork Prison will be a large extension of the function of the existing prison and will deliver capacity for approximately 100 women and 230 men as part of the accelerated prison infrastructure programme. I understand that people have been appointed to provide consultancy services in respect of demolition and that preparations are ongoing. The Prison Service is awaiting tender outcomes to inform a final decision. The target for project completion is 2031 but considerable progress is being made.
From speaking to individuals and councillors in Cork, I am aware that a proposal has been made in relation to the protected structure status of the old Cork Prison. That issue will obviously have to be given consideration as well.
I am glad the Minister has mentioned that issue. Cork City Council unanimously voted to have the old Cork Prison, which was known as the detention centre, declared a protected structure. I will give the Minister some of the feedback. Thomas Kent, the only 1916 leader to be executed outside of Dublin, was executed in that barracks. This is hallowed ground for republicans. After being arrested, Terence MacSwiney, the Lord Mayor of Cork, was locked up in that detention centre. He said that he would rather die than give up the Lord Mayor of Cork's chain. Multiple republicans have been executed and detained in the old Cork detention barracks. The Minister is now talking about demolishing it. This is Cork's Kilmainham. The republican history of this building is of vital importance to the people of Cork and to the people of this island because it is where republicans were held and executed for their beliefs.
I am not involved in the process that is ongoing in Cork City Council in terms of the register of protected structures. That is a matter for the councillors in Cork.
Will the Minister respect it?
It is a matter for the councillors in Cork city. The fact that it had not been put on the register of protected structures to date is instructive. It is obviously not incompatible for the history of Cork Prison to be preserved while ensuring that we have an extension of the prison to deal with the overcrowding that exists therein. For people in Cork who find themselves in prison, it is important that we have appropriate facilities in place.
I will engage and any decisions on the future of the old Cork Prison will be considered in light of the outcome of the relevant processes. As this project's planning process proceeds with the relevant authorities, it should be emphasised that there will be stakeholder engagement as part of the overall planning process. I know that Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan wants me to meet local groups on what is happening there and I will indeed do that. We do not need to turn this into an issue of crisis or conflict. I will listen to what local people have to say in respect of it and it is not incompatible with ensuring that we get a prison developed.
That makes no sense. How can we demolish a building and say that that is not incompatible? The Minister is talking about levelling the old Cork Prison. Imagine if someone came in here and said we would level Kilmainham Gaol. There would be uproar. Former Deputies Frank Aiken and Dr. Séamus Fitzgerald set out to identify Thomas Kent's cell and they succeeded and preserved his cell. This is hallowed ground for republicans all across this island but especially in Cork.
I will refresh the Minister's memory. Permission was granted for the demolition of O'Rahilly House. It was then added to the register of protected structures but was demolished anyway. As a result of that, the Minister said, "The act of bulldozing the building was completely against the historical interests of the people of Dublin and Ireland." He also said, "We need to go around the country and ask local authorities to identify those properties within their jurisdiction that are of historical importance, so we can preserve our vital revolutionary history." The Minister has one rule for O'Rahilly House. Is there another rule for republicans in the old Cork Prison? This should not be demolished. This should be saved, not just for Cork, but for our history. Can we not remember our history? For the Minister to demolish this is an act of destruction and is wrong.
I thank the Deputy for quoting me. Unfortunately, people did not listen to me at the time because had it been the case that people had put the old Cork Prison on the register of protected structures, the Deputy would not have to raise the issues we are raising here today. I will listen to local people on it. There is a process ongoing in Cork City Council. That process has to play out.
In terms of the heritage of Cork Prison that Deputy Gould has identified, I am surprised that it was not put on the register of protected structures if it is such hallowed ground as the Deputy has referred to. It was not put on it. I will take these factors into account. I want to ensure that we preserve our heritage, whether it is republican heritage or whatever it is, and the extraordinary history we have in this country. However, I also have to look to the future and what the needs of the people at present are. At present, having indicated at the outset that there is 120% capacity in Cork Prison, I have to do something to ensure we expand that. The prison-----
There are greenfield sites that the Government could start building on.
I have not finished yet.
There are greenfield sites the Government could build on.
The prison needs to be extended and there is an opportunity to do it promptly.
The Government has land it could build on.