By Ciaran Woods

One of Sion Mill's most historic buildings may soon be making way for a new development, if a planning application proves to be successful.

JK's bar, on the Melmount Road, could be be replaced by seven three-bedroom townhouses and 18 apartments, bringing the curtain down on over 130 years of business serving the local community.

The property and business was previously under the control of the Mellon family, for three generations, before it was sold to Strabane businessman John Kelly last year, proprietor of the Fir Trees Hotel.

The bar is well known throughout Ireland having been visited by acts such as the Dubliners and other well-known sports sides over the years.

It is also believed to hold the remarkable record of the longest licensing application in Ireland, with the original license applied for in 1877 and was objected to. The case went on through the courts until it ended up in the High Court in Dublin, where the license was eventually granted a full 17 years later.

When contacted by the Strabane Chronicle, proprietor Johnny Kelly declined to state what his intentions were for the property, refusing to confirm or deny the redevelopment speculation.