Tánaiste meets delegation from Kilkenny Squash club on Barracks visit

A delegation from the 'locked out' Kilkenny Squash Club met with Tánaiste Micheál Martin during his visit to James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny City today.

The Tánaiste, who is also Minister for Defence, heard from the delegation how they have not been allowed access to the squash courts located inside James Stephens Barracks since the Covid lockdown, after more than 50 years playing there.

KilkennyLive recently reported the club's plea for access to the courts as they have now been left without anyplace to play. An online petition has been set up calling for the reopening of the courts and the matter has been raised in the Dáil by Deputy Kathleen Funchion.

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In response, a Department of Defence spokesperson said: "The squash club, which is located inside the St. James Stephen’s military facility had pre-Covid access to the facility on a non-regularised and unlicensed basis.  During the Covid-19 pandemic military in-door facilities were not available to third parties.

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"Ahead of any club having access to military facilities, various buildings require a health and safety audit to be carried out.  A recent building inspection has identified safety issues that would require considerable remediation works to conform with the required health safety standards.   

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"The matter of the remediation works is under consideration by the Department of Defence having regard to the existing and competing demands on the building programme."