Monday 9 April 2007

Relief as Spike Island prison plans dropped

HERITAGE campaigners in east Cork have expressed relief at the Government's decision to drop plans to build a super prison on Spike Island and instead transform it into a tourist attraction comparable to Alcatraz off San Francisco.

Last May, Justice Minister Michael McDowell announced plans to build a €70m prison for the Munster region on Spike Island. Cobh Tourism Chairman Michael Martin campaigned to preserve the site, insisting the county had its very own "Devil's Island" on its doorstep.

The details of the project are not known yet.

Olivia Kelleher
Irish Independent

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