Franciscan Order brings High Court action to end sit-in at Clonmel's former Friary church

A High Court judge has given permission to the Franciscan Order to serve proceedings over alleged trespass against members of the Abbey House Prayer Steering Group who have staged a sit-in at Clonmel's former Friary church since New Year's Eve.

The Abbey House of Prayer Group are now into the third week of their sit-in at the church on Abbey Street, Clonmel arising from the Franciscan Order's decision to close the church permanently from December 31.

The group had been allowed to keep the church open as the Abbey House of Prayer since June 2023 under a temporary caretakers agreement with the Franciscan Order, which departed Clonmel six months earlier due to falling vocations. People could visit the church daily for prayers and Mass was celebrated there twice a week.

The Franciscan Order had requested the Abbey House of Prayer Group and other volunteers taking part in the sit-in to vacate the premises but they refused.

In the High Court in Dublin yesterday, Mr. Justice David Nolan granted permission to the Franciscan Order to serve proceedings over alleged trespass on prayer group officers chairman Patrick O’Gorman and secretary Joseph McCormack.