Dereliction fears for old Mercy Convent school building

A WARNING that the old Mercy Convent primary school at Patrick Street will fall into dereliction has been made by Cllr Noel French. “It is a disgrace to see a fine building like that lying vacant for so long.

“It is a wonderful building and could be used for a variety of purposes, but instead it is lying idle and unheated.

“It is a protected structure, but will become derelict if something isn't done with it,” he warned.

He called on the Department of Education, which now owns the building to make a decision on its use.

The Council recently wrote to the Department of Education about the school, following a proposal by Cllr French, who had raised the issue, month after month.

The Council has now received a response from the Department saying it is considering the position in relation to this property and a decision is expected to be confirmed shortly.

Cllr French explained that the school was handed over to the Department of Education under the Residential Institutions redress scheme.

The school has been empty for the past ten years. It took a while for it to be transferred to the Department, as it was in the ownership of the diocese and had to be transferred to the Mercy sisters first before it was transferred into public ownership.

“At one time, there was talk of it being used for the Educate Together school, but they are now in another premises.

“It is a fine building in the middle of Trim, but it is empty, the windows are boarded up and there has been no heating there for ten years.

“It has been a target for vandals in the past and it will fall into dereliction, if something isn't done. It will deteriorate dreadfully without heat.

“I would like to see it put to good use. There is so much that could be done with it.

“We need more educational facilities in Trim or it could be used for apartments. There is so much could be done with it.

“The more it is allowed to deteriorate, the more difficult and expensive it will be to do anything with it.”

“It has attracted vandalism in the past and will continue to do so, if it isn't put to use.

“It is boarded up, but the Tidy Towns have put mock windows in, which has improved the look of it.”

Cllr French said that Trim Tidy Towns and Meath County Council have set very high standards in the town and it is a shame such a lovely building is being allowed to deteriorate.

“At least the Department is now saying they are considering it, but they need to make a decision soon,” he said.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the Department is currently assessing school requirements in the area and how these can be met. “The former primary school building is being assessed as part of this process.”