Monday, November 14, 2011

Controversial Killarney hospital statue ‘must stay’

THE HSE South has been refused planning permission to remove a large Christian statue from above the main entrance of the Killarney Community Hospital, which it took down and then replaced at ground level.

The sudden removal of the statue in March 2010 without consultation with the community caused uproar. 

The Bishop of Kerry publicly questioned the health and safety reasons put forward by the hospital’s health managers. 

Other religious groups also joined in the criticism and at one stage there was a threat of a march on the hospital.

The Killarney Soroptimists women’s group gathered names and called on the hospital to replace the statue. 

There was an ongoing confrontation between the nine-member town council and the HSE on the matter.

Finally, independent Councillor Donal Grady asked An Bord Pleanála to rule on whether permission was needed, and last June the board said the statue’s relocation did need permission.

The board said that in coming to its decision it had considered "the historic character of the structure" and the origins of the statue. 

The HSE was then forced to apply for permission.

Built by the Mercy nuns for the people of the town, the hospital opened in September 1939.

The large red and white statue was later placed on the flat roof over the main entrance.

The decision to refuse permission said the removal and relocation "would seriously detract from the overall character, historic context and visual amenities of the hospital building".

Cllr Grady insists that the statue should be put back over the door.

The HSE is likely to study the decision.