Ballinasloe councillor calls for urgent action after St Brigid's Hospital fire

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Ballinasloe Independent Cllr Evelyn Parsons is calling for urgent action following a recent fire on the grounds of the former St. Brigid’s Hospital.

The fire broke out at 9.30pm on Tuesday (April 15), and was contained in an overgrown green area outside the building.

"There was an immediate response by the Fire Emergency Services. Thankfully no injuries were reported, and no damage was caused to the building on this occasion. I understand that Gardai enquiries are ongoing," she said.

"Thanks to the emergency services who responded swiftly and professionally to contain the fire, preventing far more serious consequences."

The Ballinasloe site is one of immense historical and cultural significance, and is currently under protected status.

The fire has once again sparked conversation among local councillors about the dilapidated state of the building, which is currently under State care.

“While the buildings escaped damage this time, the fire has reignited deep concerns about the dangerous and worsening condition of the protected structures. The former hospital is in a terrible state and has become a powerful symbol of state neglect and failure. We have had enough.

"This building is a protected structure, yet it’s been left to rot. The fire might have been contained, but the risk to the public and to what remains of this historic complex is increasing. The failure to act over so many years has been inexcusable,” said Cllr. Parsons.

Cllr Parsons welcomed a recent step taken by Galway County Council to issue a notice under the Derelict Sites Act was to the HSE on April 8 of this year, which signals the council’s intention to include the site on the Derelict Sites Register.

However, she describes its decline into dereliction over the years since its closure as "an act of cultural vandalism by omission of ongoing meaningful protection of the buildings fabric".

She is now urging action on a sensitive and sustainable development plan that respects the site’s legacy and reintegrates it into civic life.

“This is another wake up call to the State to tackle imbalanced investment and neglect in the West and in Ballinasloe particularly as the county town and Gateway to the West. The real protection for this building will come not from paper status, but from vision, ambitious investment, and respect.

"It’s been done elsewhere, like in Grangegorman, and if these heritage buildings were situated in Dublin or elsewhere, they would be treated as a valuable community asset and not left to rot,” said Cllr. Parsons.

“Sensitive and sustainable protective redevelopment is the only way forward, one that both honours our past and provides for the community’s future.”