A community group in Kanturk in County Cork has expressed concern about the potential impact the recent heavy rains could have on rare jailhouse drawings and graffiti dating from the War of Independence.
Kanturk courthouse complex includes a prison complex known as the Kanturk Bridewell, where IRA prisoners were held during the War of Independence.
The courthouse has not been used since 2010 and since then the building has been vacant.
Prisoner notes and writings from the period of the War of Independence were discovered two years ago on the walls in the prison cells when plaster started peeling off the walls.
Graffiti from IRA prisoners during the war of Independence on the walls of Kanturk jail #Cork.
— Tomás O Mainnín (@omainnintomas) October 24, 2023
A local group have requested immediate action from the Courts Service to preserve the building and the drawings.
They claim the drawings are being lost due to dampness. pic.twitter.com/5ZPbTInjCw
The writings and graffiti include the names of the prisoners and the IRA battalions they served with. They also include the dates they were imprisoned by British forces.
There are also drawings of a British ship and of Countess Markievicz and IRA volunteers in uniform.
A Community Group has been set up in Kanturk to campaign to preserve the graffiti and the building.
It has recently written to the Courts Service seeking urgent action to preserve the building and to stop rainwater leaking through the roof.
Dan Dennehy of the Kanturk Courthouse Restoration Project said that this type of graffiti and drawings are extremely rare. He said the only other known locations of such War of Independence prison graffiti is in Kilmainham jail and in Cork’s Women’s Prison.
"These drawings were only discovered two years ago and since then the walls have deteriorated even more. I think it would be a sin to let these drawings and the memory of these men to be lost due to the lack of care", Mr Dennehy said.
"These men fought and died for the freedom of our county and their legacy and memory is decaying before our eyes", he added.
Shelia O'Keefe’s father Frank Guiney was one of the IRA prisoners who was imprisoned by Briitish Forces in the Bridewell during the war of Independence.
She said: "This building and its historical drawing has to be preserved. When my father fought in the War of Independence, he didn't know if he was going to survive or not. He was willing to give up his life for the freedom of Ireland - and for his memory in the prison to be washed away in this manner is very upsetting. I think it's very disappointing that my father and his comrades could be treated with such disrespect."
Kanturk Courthouse is owned by the Courts Service. Following concerns being raised about water damage to the building, a heavy tarpaulin was placed over the roof in 2021.
The Court Service said that it carries out quarterly checks on the building and carries out repair when it arises.
In a statement it added: "The Courts Service is aware of the significant history of the courthouse and its associated buildings.
"The Courts Service would welcome an approach from the local authority or the Office of Public Works that would see the complex being put back into public use or community use.
"We have recently asked the OPW to look at Kanturk courthouse, and in particular to examine the Bridewell building to determine the key issues concerned. This should provide us with further information on the building."
But the Restoration committee said that more urgent action is required.
Mr Dennehy said: "If the roof leaks tomorrow, who is going to see it? It could be weeks before its checked again. We need the roof upgraded and the building preserved. I think if nothing is done we will have lost most of these drawings after this winter".
