Dublin City Council demands rebuilding of O’Rahilly House

Dublin city councillors passed a motion last night demanding the rebuilding of the O’Rahilly family home in Herbert Park.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Daniel Cétinn has welcomed the result of the council’s vote.

“I am delighted that the Council overwhelmingly endorsed our motion this evening to condemn the demolition and to demand the rebuilding of O’Rahilly House, 40 Herbert Park,” he said.

“This hugely significant historical site was demolished last week despite the Council’s vote two weeks ago to list it as a protected structure.

“The demolition pre-empted the outcome of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala to protect the building.”

Councillors approved the joint emergency motion from Sinn Féin and the Green Party which will now go before legal experts within the Council to see how best to proceed with the matter.

Work on the Ballsbridge site has now been completely halted.

A report by Assistant Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare states that because there was planning permission for the site, the house was not a protected structure.

Derryroe had received planning permission for 105 apartments after An Bord Pleanála granted a Strategic Housing Development application on September 8.

Councillors voted on September 14 to list the building but council officials had been unable to compile a conservation report.

Planning consultant Tom Phillips said the developer was legally entitled to proceed within the one-month limit and take the risk of a legal case going against them.

He also said that access to the interior of the house was not necessary for a conservation report, especially if the preservation was being sought “because of the association with someone rather than architectural merit.”

A judicial review is now being considered by local residents of the 12-storey building which is going to replace the house.

The Pembroke Residents Association say they are considering requesting a judicial review of An Bord Pleanála’s grant of permission and they have until the end of this month to lodge their High Court application.