Enquiry underway following fire at former Magdalene Laundry in Cork

The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Gardaí are investigating a fire that took place on the site of the former Good Shepherd Convent in the Sunday's Well area, Cork City. According to the Echo, this is the third fire to occur at the derelict premises. The building, which was completed in 1881 was used as a Magdalene laundry, a mother and baby home, and an orphanage for 103 years. Units from Cork City Fire Brigade attended the blaze, and remained there until Sunday afternoon "to dampen down the last hotspots". https://twitter.com/CorkCityFire/status/1573946334322761737?s=20&t=6XwsvmYPRwByWQR5BreQAQ Speaking to the Echo, a Garda Spokesperson said:

Gardaí and fire services were alerted to a fire at a premises in Sunday’s Well in Cork in the early hours of this morning.

No injuries have been reported.

Enquiries ongoing.

https://twitter.com/CorkCityFire/status/1573949636280303616?s=20&t=6XwsvmYPRwByWQR5BreQAQ In a staement to the Examiner, local Sinn Féin Councillor Kenneth Collins said the fire was likely the result of anti-social behaviour and that it was essential for the owners to redevelop it, or for the building to be taken over by Cork City Council.

They need to act on this, they need to either develop it or else Cork City Council need to put in a CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) because this can't continue to happen.

It's a listed building - so many fires in a listed building, the brick won't survive it.

It's a beautiful area of the city, a respected area, it's a building that has so much history to it.

Developers Moneda secured planning permission for the convent in 2018 with a proposal to build 234 apartments at the site.

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