Leap nun’s planning case is adjourned to June

THE case brought against a nun for breach of planning in Leap has been adjourned to June 23rd.

Last December, Judge James McNulty adjourned the case against Mother Irene Gibson – who is one of two nuns living at the development at Corran South – to the April 28th sitting of Skibbereen Court for the imposition of penalty.

On that occasion, the nun contested claims by the prosecutor, Cork County Council, that she was in breach of an enforcement order served on her on July 24th 2018.

Judge McNulty rejected her submissions that the development – which by that stage consisted of three wooden huts – was temporary and therefore exempt from planning.

Judge McNulty told her that the local authority had ‘a duty to put a stop to unauthorised development.’

When the case was called at Skibbereen court, last Tuesday, there was no appearance for either the prosecutor or the defendant.

The court clerk, Len MacCarthy, confirmed to Judge John King, presiding, that he had advised the Council that ‘attendance was not required due to Covid-19 restrictions.’

Judge King adjourned the case to the June 23rd sitting of the District Court in Skibbereen.