Courts / Tipperary / Report

Historic friary case struck out after prayer group end illegal sit-in

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 20 February 2025, the case concerning the closure of a historic Franciscan church in Clonmel was struck out after the Abbey House Prayer Group ended its illegal sit‑in. The group had occupied the Friary Church since New Year's Eve 2024, protesting the Franciscan Order's decision to close the 13th‑century building. The prayer group had previously been allowed temporary use of the church under a May 2023 agreement. Mr Justice Brian Cregan had sought an undertaking from Patrick O'Gorman, the group's chairman, that the sit‑in would cease. O'Gorman confirmed the group would vacate the church by midnight 23 January, acknowledging the protest was illegal. After receiving this undertaking, the judge struck out the case without further orders, recognising the church's imminent closure as a "devastating loss" to the prayer group.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Historic friary case struck out after prayer group end illegal sit-in. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• December 31 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 23 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2023 Other
• New Year's Eve Other
• 2025-02-20 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report