Several years after the site was bought over, an innovative plan to re-open an historic Jesuit church in Limerick has stalled.

The building project at the Crescent now looks set to remain on the 'back-burner' some four years after the building was purchased by the late Galway developer John O'Dolan.

A spokesperson for the family has told the local Limerick Leader newspaper that delays in opening the building are due to the preparation of his estate, after he died in March 2009.

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The family insisted that the church is a "stunning building" and they would love to see it open, but don't know when work will get underway.

Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that a tenant was eager to rent the property and "breathe a new lease of life" into the former church with separate plans that would not have required an application to be submitted to the Planning Department at City Hall.

The Sacred Heart church was bought for €4 million in March 2006 by Mr O'Dolan, who outlined €12m plans to turn the religious site into a leisure centre and restaurant.

The proposed centre was due to consist of a 20 metre swimming pool, a spa, a 15,000 sq ft gym and a restaurant adjacent to the facility.

(BMcC/KMcA)