NI Learning Disability charity in court over proposed eviction

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is set to take a mental health charity to court in an attempt to forcibly remove it from Hillsborough Castle.

Praxis Care has run the Secret Garden cafe in the grounds of the 96-acre estate for almost a decade in an initiative set up by former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam.

The long-running dispute centres on investment the charity has made into the venture with Praxis claiming it is due compensation.

Some 16 young people with learning disabilities work at the cafe and connected market garden.

Praxis has been asked to leave to make way for plans to transform the traditional royal residence and its grounds into a major visitor attraction.

The NIO passed the running of Hillsborough Castle over to English charity Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) in April.

Both parties have not been unable to agree a date for the charity to leave and the NIO has refused Praxis request for £400,000 it says it has invested in the cafe facilities.

The row is now due to land in the courts when the NIO will attempt to legally force Praxis to leave.

A spokesman for Praxis told the Belfast Telegraph that its main concern was the 16 young people with learning disabilities who work in the cafe.

“Despite the refusal of the NIO to engage with Praxis Care and the fact that the NIO has now instigated legal action to evict Praxis Care from the Secret Garden at Hillsborough Castle, we continue to be hopeful that a resolution, even at this late stage, can be found to enable Praxis Care to have a continued presence at the Secret Garden,” he said.

“Praxis Care’s main concern remains the care of the 16 learning-disabled service users and the protection of their jobs at the Secret Garden.”