THE FALL-OFF in the construction industry has left 25 members of one
of the oldest religious orders in Limerick “homeless” for the past two
years.
The Redemptorist Order has been waiting for more than two
years to refurbish its 150-year-old monastery at Mount St Alphonsus on
the South Circular Road.
But the plans stalled after construction
company P Elliott, now in receivership, encountered delays in gaining
full planning permission for a connected development on lands purchased
from the order.
The firm had planned to construct a large-scale
residential scheme on the land they bought from the Redemptorists some
five years ago, and the funds yielded from the sale have been used by
the order to fund a variety of projects in the community.
In turn, this development of 291 apartments was due to be a “part payment” for the works at the monastery.
“We
were always hoping that while everything was delayed, delayed and
delayed, it could happen,” said rector Fr Adrian Egans. “But it was only
in the last few weeks that it has become clear that that won’t be the
case.”
In the past two years they have been accommodated by the
nearby Presentation Sisters and Sisters of Mercy.
Many members of their
clergy are in their 80s and it took considerable effort to move out of
their home two years ago.
The Redemptorists have reapplied for
planning permission for the refurbishment works and intend to go to
tender again this summer, which could see a more competitive price for
the works.