COUNCIL PLANS TO CONVERT BALLYBAY CIVIC CENTRE AND CLONES’ FORMER ULSTER BANK INTO ACCOMMODATION FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

By Veronica Corr

Monaghan County Council plans to convert two of the county’s landmark buildings into accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, namely, Ballybay Civic Centre and the former Ulster Bank building in Clones, a meeting of Ballybay/ Clones Municipal District (MD) was told on Monday. Mr. Nial O’Connor, Senior Executive Officer, Housing Section, Monaghan County Council delivered an update to public representatives and officials in attendance of the meeting in Ballybay, which forms part of the plan.

Both buildings will form part of the Council’s response to the Local Government Management Agency’s (LGMA) commitment to provide 2,000 beds for Ukrainian refugees nationwide. Ballybay Civic Centre, which also houses the town’s branch library, is Councilowned. However, the former Ulster Bank in Clones is in private ownership, but Monaghan County Council plan to lease this property for a period of five years. It is understood that the Clones building will be exempt from planning, as change of use legislation will allow the former bank to be designated as temporary accommodation for Ukrainians.

After a five-year period, the Ballybay Council-owned building may become part of the social housing stock and the lease on the Clones property will expire. It is understood that the layout of the listed building…