A 62-year-old nun who was convicted of a breach of planning legislation has been given until June next year to move home and to restore land she had developed as a retreat near the village of Leap in west Cork.
The case against Mother Irene Gibson, a Carmelite nun, of the Holy Face of Jesus, was due to be finalised at the District Court in Skibereen today, but she said she could not resolve matters due to coronavirus restrictions and she pleaded for more time.
For more than 30 years, Mother Irene Gibson has lived as a hermit, explaining that she chose a contemplative life to bring her closer to God.
Around 5 years ago she bought a former garden centre at Corran South near the village of Leap.
Without planning permission, she developed a two-storey oratory and seven wooden pods or sheds where she lived and hoped to develop a community.
Mother Irene was joined by Sister Anne Marie of the Sacred Heart from New Zealand. Their admission, they said, was to swim against the current and fight for the salvation of souls.
Cork County Council prosecuted Mother Irene for failing to comply with an enforcement order to demolish her isolated retreat.
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She was convicted last May.
When the case resumed this afternoon, Mother Irene pleaded with Judge James McNulty for more time to allow her and Sister Anne Marie to relocate to a place where they would be able to attend the tridentine or Traditional Latin Mass.
She said the two-storey oratory had been disposed of, after it had been advertised for sale on DoneDeal.
The court was told efforts were made to comply with the enforcement order and the number of buildings had been significantly reduced.
Judge James McNulty asked Cork County Council's representatives to explore its obligations to housing the two nuns. He told Mother Irene Gibson that while the court would respect her faith, that could not be used as an excuse to continue breaking the law.
The case was adjourned until June next year.
