Jailhouse Shock! Workers uncover old cells and tunnels from Trim Gaol!

Work on new temporary accommodation at Scoil Mhuire in Trim has uncovered undergrounds cells and structures that were part of the old Trim Gaol.

Workers who were preparing foundations for prefabricated classrooms came across the subterranean structures last week.

The principal of Scoil Mhuire, Ms Jacqueline Maher explained that they had been removing two prefabs, which were to be replaced with a two storey structure with two classrooms, storage areas and toilets, when the workers found a void.  
"Work has ceased and we are working with Meath County Council," she said.

"Our main concern is health and safety and we have to find an alternative location for the new prefabs," she said.

Local Senator Ray Butler who obtained the images of the cells said the discovery was hugely significant and welcomed the fact that work on the site had been suspended. 

"I think we should pull back  and take alook at what's down there. I think it would be a terrible shame to cover over what's there and to fill it all in. There's a great opportunity to explore and see what's down there and the town can take advantage and our tourism offering can take advantage."

Local historian and County Councillor, Noel French said it made sense that the remains of the gaol would still be there.

"There were underground cells in the gaol and when it was demolished, it was just blown up, so it makes sense that they are intact," he said.

"I would love to see it. It is something that could become a great attraction, as it has been hidden away so long," he said.

The new gaol at Trim opened in 1834 to replace a gaol on the far side of the river. This new gaol only operated until about 1870 and then in 1890 it was converted into an industrial school for pauper children.

Known as the Trim Joint School it was often mis-named Trim Giant School. The school was established to prevent children being brought up as paupers in the workhouses and giving them a good trade. The unions of Drogheda, Trim, Kells, Navan came together to form the school.

In 1912 John Kelly, an assistant teacher in the school was killed in the schoolyard by a group of boys who were armed with brushes and sticks. 

Over forty years later two men lost their lives at the demolition of the gaol in June 1953. Employees of Meath County Council, Peter Smith of Castlemartin, Navan and Michael Shiels of Marshallstown, Kilmessan were killed in a fall.

Peter Smith was an explosives expert and he and Shiels were putting a charge of gelignite in a wall on the third floor of the building when the landing collapsed and the men were hurled thirty feet into the basement with a portion of the wall crashing down on top of them.