Residents of a long-term mental health centre in East Cork have been told the facility will definitely not reopen after being flooding by Storm Babet.
Six occupants were still living at the Owenacurra Centre, on the grounds of Midleton Community Hospital, at the time of the floods on the 18th October.
The six remaining residents have been staying in temporary hotel accommodation since Storm Babet flooded the old Owenacurra building.
An independent engineer has found that it would be unfeasible to reopen.
The old centre had been scheduled for closure since 2021, and is set to be replaced by two three-bed mental health community residences at Lauriston in Midleton, and a new 10-bed centre in the old Owenacurra Centre.
In a statement to RedFM News, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare says the first of the two three-bed buildings will be ready by the end of March 2024.
While, it says the second property is expected to be bought soon, with drawings of the refurbishment works being finalised.
The new 10-bed unit, planned for the current grounds, will progress in 2024.
