Prayer Group Ends ‘Illegal Sit-In’ as High Court Case Is Dismissed
A prayer group has ended its contentious “illegal sit-in” at a historic Franciscan-owned church in Tipperary, Ireland. The Abbey House Prayer Group had been occupying the friary in Clonmel since New Year’s Eve 2022, protesting the decision to close the church due to dwindling numbers and maintenance costs.
Background of the Protest
The Franciscan Order decided to close the 13th-century church on January 1, 2023. The closing was attributed to the order’s decreasing membership numbers and aged congregation, coupled with the prohibitive cost of maintaining the building.
The prayer group took over the church after the final mass on December 31, 2022, taking advantage of a temporary, May 2023 agreement that had allowed them to use the building.
Legal Confrontation and Resolution
In response to the group’s occupation, Mr. Justice Brian Cregan requested an undertaking from Patrick O’Gorman, chairman of the Abbey House Prayer Group, that the group would vacate the premises. Mr. O’Gorman confirmed the prayer group would leave by January 23, 2023.
During the High Court proceedings, legal representatives for the Franciscan Property Trust (SFT) asked for an injunction for the group to leave. Matthew Jolley BL, representing the trust, informed the court that the dispute could be resolved without imposing a formal order, as the occupation had already ended.
The Perspectives of the Parties
Mr. O’Gorman acknowledged that the sit-in was illegal but explained that the group’s occupancy was a last resort, prompted by a profound sense of upset from the local community and the group’s long-standing attachment to the church.
“The occupants were not religious zealots,” Mr. O’Gorman stressed. “They were primarily retired, elderly people who had been attending the church for generations.” The chairman expressed his understanding of the church’s significant financial burden, noting that the members were merely protesting a “devastating loss” to the local community.
The Franciscan Trust’s Position
Father Aidan McGrath, minister provincial of the Franciscan Province of Ireland and a director of the SF Trust, explained that the mandated closure was a result of persistent communication with the community regarding the church’s upkeep costs since January 2023.
The trust had incurred over €160,000 in maintenance expenses. Fr. McGrath acknowledged the challenge of addressing significant architectural issues, including roof leaks, damaged tiles, and window repairs.
Removal of Protests
Despite resistance from the Abbey House Prayer Group, theHigh Court judge struck out the case without imposing additional orders. The closure proceedings can now proceed without legal interference from the protesting group.
Fr. McGrath emphasized that the church’s occupants had posted a sign dismissing the Province’s decision as “fait accompli.” Despite the signage, the occupation ended, allowing the High Court to dismiss the case without further legal action.