Victory For Kilcullen: HSE Agrees In Principle To Hand Over Building Restored By Locals To Council

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 15:58

By Martin Osborne

Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has described the latest developments "as positive news".

Kfm understands that the HSE has confirmed an "agreement in principle" to give Kildare County Council a HSE-owned building in Kilcullen that locals painstakingly restored before learning that it was going to be sold on the open market.

In what is now seen as a dramatic u-turn, the HSE is now expected to hand the building over to Kildare County Council - meaning it will be removed from the open market.

Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has described the latest developments "as positive news".

She said it proves that locals "have a voice" when they come together.

It is expected that the building will be used as a community drop-in centre in the future after further upgrades are carried out.

Intense late-night talks ran into the early hours between Councillor O’Dwyer, Kildare South TD Martin Heydon, and senior officials from both the HSE and Kildare County Council.

It followed widespread local anger after the HSE reaffirmed its plans to sell the historic property - despite years of community efforts to restore it for public use, including as a potential day care centre.

Locals painstakingly restored the building, sought grants and even set up a 'buy a brick' campaign to inject new life into the building.

The issue was also raised in the Seanad this week by Senator Fiona O’Loughlin.

Kfm spoke to distraught locals after they heard news that the building could be sold, with one man, Ronan Murray, telling us that the building would serve as a lifeline to tackle social isolation.

You can read that story here.

We also revealed how the renewal of a lease was promised to the community by the HSE but never materialised.

More from Local News

Kfm Obituary Notices

Kfm obituaries notices are broadcast daily following the 8am, 10am, 1pm, 5pm news
Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Kfm Obituary Notices

Kfm obituaries notices are broadcast daily following the 8am, 10am, 1pm, 5pm news