Emergency motion to debate demolition of O’Rahilly home

AN emergency motion is to be brought before a meeting of Dublin City councillors in relation to the demolition of 40 Herbert Park, home of The O’Rahilly family.

There was great upset at the demolition of the house in the early hours of September 29.

Last week, a campaign that demanded the protection of the house vowed that it would continue, even if it meant having the house rebuilt.

Now, a Sinn Fein motion is to be brought before the council noting that the council had voted to list the building on the Record of Protected Structures on September 14.

The motion also welcomes the halting of works on the site, and calls for the immediate restoration of the house.

The motion also expresses “grave concern at the implications of the demolition for other historic buildings and sites in the city” and requires the City Council to complete the listing process already begun with respect to five buildings on the Moore Street battlefield site to ensure their protection.

It also requires the City Council to conduct a review of remaining sites with considerable historical significance and links to the 1916 Rising.

Sinn Féin Councillor Daniel Céitinn said a report issued to Dublin City councillors on the demolition of the home of The O’Rahilly, had vindicated those who sought to save the house.