Sale of Magee Barracks leaves Kildare town owed €1.64million

Following the sale of Magee Barracks this week for €8.2million,   South Kildare Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl said that Kildare town is now owed €1.64million by the Department of Defence if its 1998 written commitment to the community is to be honoured.

The sale of the land for well in excess of the Departments reserve indicates enormous potential for development that the site has.

Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said: ''What is important now is that a variety of high quality development takes place on the site in a carefully planned manner which links Magee Barracks development to the old town centre and onward towards Kildare Village retail outlet. The potential of the site is enormous but extremely careful planning and high quality development will be the key to success. Lets hope that the purchaser is willing to move forward with the development, that there is no further moth balling of the site and that the Department of Defence now cash rich from the sale honours its commitment to the community.''