Citizens may fund 'vandalism', says Adams

A HISTORIC site associated with the 1916 Rising has been “Nama-ed” and taxpayers will pay for the “vandalising” of a national monument if a proposed redevelopment proceeds, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has claimed.

He described the terrace containing 16 Moore Street, where the rebel leaders met for the last time, as a “slum”. The condition of the area was a “disgrace”.

“A developer, Mr Joe O’Reilly, one of the Maple 10 ‘golden circle’, is planning to demolish the surrounding area for the building of a shopping complex,” he told the Dáil. “This developer is in Nama, who are now considering funding this development. In other words Irish taxpayers, Irish citizens, may be asked to pay for the vandalising of a national monument.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said numbers 14 to 17 Moore Street had been designated a national monument under law, and approval for developments in the vicinity of any national monument had to have the approval of Minister for Heritage Jimmy Deenihan.

He said the developer had bought the properties in the vicinity of 14 to 17 Moore Street as he was entitled to do under the Constitution, and Dublin City Council gave approval for a particular form of development.

“The question is as to whether that development is now in order, whether in the eyes of the Minister that kind of development could be allowed in the vicinity of the national monument 14 to 17 Moore Street, where Clarke and Plunkett and Collins and Connolly of the provisional government offered their surrender.”

He had visited the national monument recently and it did not look “edifying”. While its current condition meant it was not the kind of place he would like to bring students of history from abroad it had “major” potential.

Mr Adams said the State controlled the site through Nama.

“It’s been Nama-ed. The Joe O’Reilly project is under the control of Nama. So I just think it says a lot about the State we’re in.”

Mr Kenny said “there could well be a meeting of minds here to develop a very worthwhile historic quarter” taking into account rights in respect of ownership.