A CHARITABLE trust set up when the parish church in Tullamore, Co Offaly, burnt down had a £1.2 million surplus remaining after it was rebuilt, the High Court was told yesterday.
Mr Brian Spierin, for the trust, said an appeal was started to rebuild the church and a trust was set up in 1984. As a result of prudent management there was a £1.2 million surplus and the trust wished to apply that money for charitable purposes.
The purposes for which the trust had been established had been fulfilled. Part of the trust was for the advancement of religion. The new objectives were within the concepts of the Catholic advancement of religion within the parish of Tullamore.
He said a draft scheme had been drawn up and the objectives were cast more broadly.
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, said some of the proposals seemed to go well beyond the advancement of religion. While they were very deserving, the scheme had to be as near as possible to the original purpose of the trust.
Mr Spierin said if the judge was concerned with the objectives he would make written submissions on the general charitable intent.
The judge said if these were given to him, he would adjourn the case to next term.