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The disused Áras Phádraig building on Lewis Road is the preferred site for any prospective multi-storey car park, with officials saying that any such development at the Glebe could cause more congestion in the town centre.

Early last year, a consultancy agency was appointed to carry out a feasibility study to look at what future uses the property could be put to. Then, in December, the Killarney Advertiser produced an artist’s impression of a state-of-the-art Killarney Civic Plaza at the Áras and public reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The idea at the time was to tie the parking facilities in with other amenities, such as a theatre and a café.

The issue was raised at a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting by Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, who was in favour of exploring the Glebe as an option. Cllr Healy-Rae stated her belief that traffic wouldn’t be an issue as people would be guaranteed a space in the multi-storey car park, which would mean they wouldn’t be driving around town looking for a space.

Cllr Brendan Cronin, meanwhile, said he was “losing faith” that the project would ever be completed.

“My gut instinct, if we read between the lines of senior management, is that there’s no willingness to proceed,” he said. “It’s kind of obvious to everyone now that it’s being kicked down the road."