The former Fitzgerald Barracks' site in Fermoy has been described as ‘derelict’, ‘overgrown’ and ‘a shame’ as local councillor William O’Leary this week tabled a motion that would see Cork County Council purchase the portion of land and buildings on the site which is currently retained by the Department of Defence.

Currently, the Department of Defence retains one hectare of an overall ten acres site, with the said one hectare containing the old barracks buildings, located near the Queen of Peace Church on the R639 Dublin Road.

According to the councillor, he has made a number of enquiries to the Department of Defence seeking that they clean up the site initially, as well as asking about the potential to refurbish the buildings for community use. Cllr O’Leary said that he also made enquiries with Cork County Council on the matter.

“I think we should be ambitious with the site …” Cllr O’Leary stated this week.

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