Residents of Limerick village emerge victorious in planning row over floodlights at local church
Seán McCárthaigh
A group of residents in a Limerick village have emerged victorious in a planning row with their parish priest over the continued use of floodlights at the local Catholic church, which is a protected structure.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has upheld an appeal taken by the Stonehall-Kilcoran & District Residents’ Group against the decision of Limerick City and County Council to grant retention permission for floodlights installed in the grounds of the village’s church.
The Commission’s ruling went against the recommendation of its own planning inspector, who supported granting retrospective permission to Kilcoran parish priest, Fr Tim Wrenn, to continue to use the floodlights which he claimed had been installed over 16 years ago.
However, Stonehall-Kilcoran & District Residents’ Group claimed the council’s ruling to grant retention permission for the floodlights was “legally flawed” and failed to address material considerations, including confirmed activity of a protected bat species in the area.
The group claimed the council failed to comply with national and EU wildlife legislation over the failure to require surveys of bats and other protected species to be carried out.
The residents also complained that the floodlights illuminate bedrooms and living rooms in neighbouring properties, while a motion-activated light triggered repeatedly by wildlife was causing sleep disturbance to some locals.
The planning application for retention permission was made by Fr Wrenn after the council issued a warning letter to the Limerick Diocesan Office in March 2025 over unauthorised works within the church grounds.
Although the refusal by Limerick City and County Council of retention permission for developments other than the floodlights within the church grounds was not the subject of an appeal by either party, the Commission observed that the various works would negatively impact the special character and appearance of the church.
The parish priest has sought approval for retention of an opening in a dry-stone boundary wall and a concrete base behind the church, as well as permission to complete an associated meeting room.
Fr Wrenn told Limerick City and County Council there was no adequate space within the confines of the church building for private meetings with him.
The priest, who received backing from Fianna Fáil councillor, Ger Ward, claimed the location of the detached meeting room behind the church had been decided as the best area.
He explained it would only ever be available for use in the presence of the local parish priest or his representative and would not be open to the public on an ongoing basis.
The Commission noted that Kilcoran Catholic Church is listed as a building of interest on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
The building was constructed in 1828 and is described as “a fine example of early 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture.”
The Commission said they proposed works to be retained also ran contrary to an objective of the Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028 in relation to work on protected structures.
In relation to the floodlights, the Commission said it had not been satisfactorily demonstrated that they would not have a significant impact on protected species on the site in the absence of an assessment and appropriate mitigation measures.
The Commission said it did not concur with the recommendation of its own inspector to grant permission to retain the floodlights, who reasoned there might be possible behavioural avoidance of the site by bats over time in order to avoid light pollution.
The inspector said local properties were not unduly affected by the church’s floodlights as the nearest residence was 57 metres from its boundary wall which was screened by mature trees and hedgerow.
