Church authorities are facing calls for greater transparency around the handling of funds earmarked for the redevelopment of a chapel in Dublin city centre.
City Quay Church, on the south side of the Liffey opposite the Custom House, has fallen into a state of disrepair despite receiving €3.5m in compensation from a developer four years ago due to loss of light from surrounding buildings.
Some of the funding was used for work outside the so-called Dockers’ Church and on a nearby school.
Planning permission was granted in 2020 for work inside the church.
A contractor was also appointed but works were halted at the eleventh hour and never started.
Parishioners are unhappy with its condition and have complained about plaster peeling from the walls. They fear for the church’s future and want work to begin as soon as possible to preserve it.
The area has had significant development with new office blocks surrounding the chapel.
Independent councillor Mannix Flynn is bringing forward a motion to Dublin City Council.
He is calling for the church to be transparent about any financial contributions made in the last 15 years for upkeep and to address disadvantage in the area.
“This money was given to the church for the benefit of the congregation. The area gets very little and needs rejuvenation,” Flynn said.
“It is obvious that money has not been spent and those responsible for it should be very transparent about it.”
An Archdiocese of Dublin spokesman said sums received in compensation for adjoining developments are “held in the name of and for the benefit exclusively of City Quay Parish”.
“It is a source of frustration and disappointment to the Archbishop, as I’m sure it is to many parishioners, that this project has not advanced further,” he said.
“The Archbishop has a responsibility under charity law to ensure that all of the affairs of the Archdiocese, especially those involving large sums of money, are conducted to best effect and in a fully transparent and accountable fashion.”