Tipperary TD confirms Council has extended its car parking lease at former hotel site

Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill has confirmed that Tipperary County Council have been offered a two-month extension on their lease of the car park next to the Munster Hotel in Thurles.

Deputy Cahill has asked the Council to accept this extension in order to ensure that the people of Thurles and surrounding areas do not lose access to the car park and to allow additional time for further negotiations on the issue.

“I have been in discussions with the owner of the Munster Hotel and the adjoining car park, and Tipperary County Council for a long period of time in relation to the future use of the car park by the Council as a public car park.

“It is absolutely essential that the County Council does not lose access to this car park, which is a vital piece of infrastructure for the part of Thurles that it serves. The County Council have been offered a two month extension on the lease of the car park and it is my desire that they would accept that extension to allow time to negotiate a longer term lease on the car park.

“I very much welcome Cllr Seamus Hanafin’s call for the Council to purchase the Munster Hotel. It is past time that action was taken to make use of this large, vacant building in Thurles. With Mary Immaculate College going from strength to strength next door to the hotel, and with student population numbers in Thurles growing at great pace, it is clear that student accommodation must be provided as a matter of priority.

“I would like to see the County Council take the lead on this issue and make the best use possible of the Munster Hotel. Thurles needs student-specific accommodation and repurposing the Munster Hotel for such use is an opportunity that should not be missed," he said.