Firefighters at the scene. Pic Mary Smith Real Trim Discussion Board

Fire at Old Convent School, Trim

Fire engines from Navan and Trim battled a blaze last night at the old St Mary's Convent School in Patrick Street, Trim which caused extensive damage.

Three units from Trim and three from Navan, as well as a water tanker from Trim were on the scene for several hours as they fought the blaze, which broke out at around 10.30pm..

The fire is believed to have started in the stage area of the old school, which dates back to 1924. Reports from the fire service suggest it may have been malicious.

The building was used for extra classrooms for St Mary's School before its extension was built, but has been idle now for 12 years

The building was transferred to the Department of Education by the Sisters of Mercy as part of the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme, which took some time but this transfer was completed several years ago.

Cllr Noel French said he feared that the building will one day be burned to the ground and that will be the end of it.

“I am sick of asking the council to write to the Department of Education to see what they are going to do with it.

“It is a a fine building, but is lying vacant for so long.

“It could be used for a variety of purposes, instead of sitting there rotting.

“If it continues to lie idle like that it increases the chances of it being burned to the ground. It was used up until 2010 but not a single thing has been done with it since,” he said.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín said the fire reaffirmed the case for old school buildings to be brought back into use immediately.

“I was made aware of a fire which took place yesterday evening at the vacant school building on Patrick Street in Trim which was attended by Meath Fire Services.

"On contacting Meath County Council I was informed the fire was started maliciously. It appears this is not the first instance of fires started at the empty building as a result of anti-social behaviour. We cannot say this is in anyway surprising when a building of this size owned by the state has been allowed to remain empty for a decade.

“Meath County Council in response to my questioning earlier today has stated they have contacted the Department of Education and LMETB to request that the building secured to prevent further occurrence of fires and other anti-social behaviour.

"At this stage it’s not enough just to secure the building. We have an ongoing housing crisis here in County Meath. Only just yesterday Meath County Council has put out yet another request on their social media for expressions of interest for accommodation owners and services to offer emergency accommodation. My office staff and myself are inundated with people requiring urgent accommodation from people who have received termination notices for their private rented property with nowhere to go, and people who are sleeping in their cars, friend’s couches and back garden sheds.

"The inaction on the repurposing of old state buildings like St.Mary’s is another example of how far removed this government is with the reality of the homeless situation on the ground. I have been in contact with LMETB today to request an update on the old school building in Trim and we need get a decision now as quickly as possible on it’s future to used to brought back into the community use for people of the town and surrounding areas”.