THERE has been a breakthrough in a dispute over the future use of the former convent in Cappamore.
A 24-hour protest outside the building has been taking place since St Stephen’s Day. The convent is situated right beside the village’s national school - Scoil Chaitriona.
A committee called Cappamore Community Group, previously said in a statement to the Leader, that the convent should be used as an autism suite for school pupils.
However, Cappamore Housing Association, who acquired the convent from the Sisters of Mercy in 2020, had signed a “short-term lease” to Coolmine Therapeutic Centre “for residential purposes only for women and children”.
“No to Coolmine” is written on silage bales placed outside the convent. Coolmine is a drug and alcohol treatment centre “that brings clients on a journey of recovery by providing quality community, day and residential services”.
Cappamore Housing Association issued a statement to Limerick Live on Tuesday evening in which they say they are very pleased to announce that "the short-term lease of its property at the former convent residence is now ceased".
“The leaseholder, Coolmine Therapeutic Centre Ltd, is relinquishing their short-term tenancy. The Cappamore Housing Association wishes the professional staff of Coolmine and their service users well in their recovery journey.
"We have worked tirelessly, quietly and with dignity to achieve a reasonable solution for the parish community as well as the mothers and children concerned and we are pleased with the outcome.
“For us, it demonstrates what positive engagement can achieve in difficult circumstances. We would like to thank all of those who supported us to achieve this result and the many messages of support we have received from the parish community and from wider afield,” reads the statement.
They say they have always supported the provision of a state-of-the-art autism suite for Scoil Chaitríona school and continue to do so.
“We support the provision of extra playground space for the school, which we offered to the school in 2021, but which has not yet been taken up.
“The Cappamore Housing Association CLG now hopes that the board of management of Scoil Chaitríona will commence engagement with us on their wish to expand the school facilities. We regret the lack of meaningful engagement from the school board since last July when we offered them the opportunity to acquire additional space.
“We look forward to discussing how the former convent property may assist with the future developments at Scoil Chaitríona. Subject to appropriate processes which will take time to achieve, we will continue to work hard for the successful conclusion of this project so as to enhance the facilities for the children of the school community.
“We continue with our mission to provide social residential accommodation for the elderly within the parish at the former creamery site and we ask all in the community to support us in these endeavours. We acknowledge all the voluntary work undertaken so far by many in the community in bringing our housing project to nearing completion,” concludes the statement.