Criticism over unfinished Ballina project

Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District have expressed disappointment that the Mary Robinson Centre has yet to be finished.

The museum on Emmet Street, dedicated to Ireland’s first female president who was born and raised in Ballina, has faced criticism over the cost of the project and the fact it has yet to be opened.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Loftus told last week's meeting it was an "emotive topic" but funding has to come from somewhere to ensure the building is fully finished.

“Funding has to come from government to finish it and I hope the funding is coming,” he said.

Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said the building simply cannot sit idle after Mayo Co Council exceeded its expenditure on the project by €500,000 after originally €1.5 million in funding.

“The building needs to be used, it can’t lie there empty. As an MD, we need to sit down with the [council] chief executive and list the projects we need to see action on.

“We put in a financial commitment we would not exceed and we have exceeded it,” he said.

Fine Gael Cllr Mark Duffy said it was a "beautiful building" but people want to see it being used.

“It would be worth considering a collaboration, maybe to put a National Women’s Museum there. That would be a good outcome,” he said.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo Co Council Cllr John O’Hara supported the comments.

“The building is starting to be an eyesore. It is time to get moving on it.”

The council's Director of Services for the Ballina Municipal District Catherine McConnell said it was a "shame" to see the current state of the project.

“It is a shame to see the building sitting idle and it would be good to see what the plan is currently,” she said. “It is costing the local authority money to keep it lit and heated.”

She welcomed the suggestion from Cllr Munnelly to discuss actionable projects in the municipal district.

“Now is the opportune time to start planning and thinking,” she said.