The former Bishop’s house in Newry has gone back on the market to help raise funds to provide compensation to the victims of clerical abuse.
The premises – surrounded by 27 acres of land – has lain empty since 2018 following the resignation of Dr John McAreavey as Catholic Bishop of Dromore.
Dr McAreavey vacated his position after it came to light he had celebrated Mass alongside paedophile priest Fr Malachy Finnegan in the year 2000 while aware of the allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The contents of the Bishop’s home – based on the Armagh Road, Newry – were sold off at auction earlier this year by the Diocese of Dromore to meet compensatory liabilities due to clerical abuse victims.
According to the BBC one of the standout sales in auction included a marble-topped table, originally from Tandragee Castle, which was bought by a priest in a 1950s dispersal sale which had a top estimate of €8,000 (£6,700), but ended up selling on the day for €33,600 (£28,000).
In a statement made at the time, the Diocese said it was also selling the contents to fund “various safeguarding matters, including redress for victims and survivors of abuse”.
At the time of the auction the Diocese confirmed that the sale of the house and its surrounding lands was “ongoing”, however, it has now officially entered the property market under the agency of OKT Belfast with price available on application.
In a letter to the people dated November 2023, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Apostolic Administrator, said in regards to the sale of the property: “It is vitally important that the Diocese has the necessary human and financial resources going forward for safeguarding best practice and for responding, via counselling, support and just compensation and redress to those who have been abused.
“I also wish to ensure that the Diocese of Dromore contributes its share to supporting the national safeguarding structures which ensure that our standards remain up to date.
“For this reason, being conscious that remaining diocesan funds are limited, I have been in discussions over the past two years with the Directors of the Dromore Diocesan Trust about identifying any diocesan assets that could be sold in order to meet our existing and ongoing safeguarding responsibilities.
“Following an extensive feasibility study, the Trust has identified lands at Armagh Road, Newry, which it proposes to sell in order to finance the liabilities of the Diocese.
“These lands, adjacent to, and including the existing Bishop’s House, are in the ownership of the Diocese of Dromore. Given their proximity to the amenities of Newry City Centre and to various educational and retail facilities, we understand that sections of the land would likely be very suitable for residential development in order to help meet the identified social and private housing need in the Newry area.”
Describing the opportunity, the agent explains the lands are currently “undeveloped” and adds that the ‘Bishop’s House’, is a Grade B1 listed two storey building with a gate house at the entrance to the estate – all of which are included in the sale.
Interested parties should contact OKT Belfast directly.
