Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The bridewell is adjacent to the courthouse. I commend the Courts Service, in particular Ms Ruth Penney, who was more than helpful in trying to preserve the bridewell last year. The building was porous with water flowing down it and some remedial work was done. There is graffiti in the old bridewell, which served as a jail for 200 years after the courthouse was built in the 1820s, but much of the graffiti dates from the War of Independence and the Civil War. That graffiti is significant and it would be a shame to see it being lost due to neglect of the building. The building is in the public realm and should be preserved. If it were in private ownership, there would be a duty on its owner to preserve it.

In the first instance, though, let us see if we can get the title. We can then revert on the other issue. I wish to apprise the Minister of State of the importance of the graffiti and the historical significance of the building in Kanturk.

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