The group behind plans for a €9 million residential drug rehabilitation centre in Ballivor linked to the controversial Church of Scientology, says the delay in it opening its doors is due to the Covid pandemic.

Twelve months ago the Court Of Appeal upheld a High Court decision that An Bord Pleanála was incorrect in deciding the facility required planning permission, which gave Narconon Trust the greenlight to proceed with its plans for the site which was originally earmarked for a nursing home

The Sunday Independent today reports that planning is moving forward to open the facility, with the recent Covid pandemic period causing delays to their plans.

They added that their “planning is again full steam ahead” and while there is a caretaker living at the facility, there is no date for when it will open.