Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin seeking the resources needed to purchase the Bessboro site in October's Budget.

She said: "Stopping Bessboro from being turned into a construction site must be a hands-on priority for the Taoiseach and the government. This means government putting the finance in place to buy the site and this can be done in the upcoming budget."

Her appeal follows a visit yesterday to Bessboro, where she met the Save Bessboro campaign and viewed the grounds of the former institution in Cork.

Teachta McDonald said: "I have written to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to request that the funds required to purchase the Bessboro site be included in October's budget. The Taoiseach’s recent statement that he asked Cork City Council to engage with the landowners at Bessboro was a step in the right direction. However, saving Bessboro and stopping it from being turned into a construction site must be a hands-on priority for the Taoiseach and the government.

-- Advertisement --

"This means government putting the finance in place to buy the site. I have now asked the Taoiseach to make sure that this funding allocation is made in the Budget.

"I understand that the Taoiseach is to meet with the survivors this week. He should make it clear to them at that meeting that the government will make the money available to purchase Bessboro.

"The survivors of Bessboro and their families have already suffered far too much. By making this commitment, the Taoiseach can remove any worry that funding will be a roadblock.

"The demands of the survivors and their families are clear. They want acknowledgement and recognition. They want the government to purchase the site, ensure a proper investigation of the land, and preserve Bessboro as a place of national conscience."