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Court owner rethinks hotel plans Court owner rethinks hotel plans
(8 minutes later)
The owner of a former Belfast courthouse damaged in weekend arson attacks has said he is going to have to rethink his development plans.The owner of a former Belfast courthouse damaged in weekend arson attacks has said he is going to have to rethink his development plans.
Barry Gilligan planned to turn it into a hotel or office complex but said he was now looking for other ideas as the level of grant aid was not sufficient.Barry Gilligan planned to turn it into a hotel or office complex but said he was now looking for other ideas as the level of grant aid was not sufficient.
He said he wanted to find an innovative use for the Crumlin Road courthouse, which closed in 1998.He said he wanted to find an innovative use for the Crumlin Road courthouse, which closed in 1998.
Mr Gilligan said he would "work with anyone" to secure its future.Mr Gilligan said he would "work with anyone" to secure its future.
Barry Gilligan says public funding hasn't matched his expectations
"Both of those schemes have made it clear from the outset that they require significant grant aid - the level of grant aid, particularly for the hotel is not forthcoming," he said."Both of those schemes have made it clear from the outset that they require significant grant aid - the level of grant aid, particularly for the hotel is not forthcoming," he said.
"So in one sense it is back to the drawing board and it is back to finding some form of innovative use for this building which requires a lesser amount of grant aid."So in one sense it is back to the drawing board and it is back to finding some form of innovative use for this building which requires a lesser amount of grant aid.
"I'll look at anything I'll work with anyone - I want to secure this building and I want to give this building a future.""I'll look at anything I'll work with anyone - I want to secure this building and I want to give this building a future."
Barry Gilligan says public funding hasn't matched his expectations
Firefighters tackling fires at the courthouse were attacked by stone throwing youths.Firefighters tackling fires at the courthouse were attacked by stone throwing youths.
Crews were damping down a small fire at the rear of the building on Sunday night when they came under attack.Crews were damping down a small fire at the rear of the building on Sunday night when they came under attack.
It was the third fire at the listed building over the weekend.It was the third fire at the listed building over the weekend.
Ten fire appliances were used to put out a major fire at the building in March of this year.Ten fire appliances were used to put out a major fire at the building in March of this year.
The courthouse was the venue for hundreds of paramilitary trials during the troubles.The courthouse was the venue for hundreds of paramilitary trials during the troubles.
It was purchased by Mr Gilligan, the current Policing Board chairman, who announced plans to transform it into a luxury hotel.It was purchased by Mr Gilligan, the current Policing Board chairman, who announced plans to transform it into a luxury hotel.
The original architect of the Grade B listed building was Sir Charles Lanyon, who was also involved in the construction of some of Belfast's landmark buildings including City Hall, Custom House, Belfast Castle and Queen's University.The original architect of the Grade B listed building was Sir Charles Lanyon, who was also involved in the construction of some of Belfast's landmark buildings including City Hall, Custom House, Belfast Castle and Queen's University.