A FORMER hospital in the centre of Navan was sold at a knockdown price when it was auctioned last week by estate agent Raymond Potterton.

The County Infirmary, an extensive period building extending to 930sq m (10,000sq ft) standing on an overall site of 0.28 of a hectare (0.7 acres), was sold under the hammer for €270,000 – a fraction of its value before property prices collapsed.

It was bought by Colm Geraghty, whose family have operated a fuel yard beside the hospital for many years.