A Co Carlow eye specialist described her experience of having to leave her home and practice yesterday as a result of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) as very traumatic.
Dr Mona McGarry was leaving the property in Athy Road, Carlow, and said her business as an ophthalmologist and optician could not function until she found somewhere new.
All her possessions and furniture are going into storage and she will live in temporary accommodation. Dr McGarry said: "It's all very traumatic, especially when you didn't choose to do something." Originally from Co Mayo, Dr McGarry has lived and worked at the property for 26 years. "I can't function until I get a place for business," she said.
Last April, Dr McGarry settled her High Court proceedings for compensation over the CPO to facilitate a road development. Under the settlement, the dispute between Dr McGarry and Carlow Town Council was to be dealt with by an arbitrator.
The terms of settlement included a confidentiality clause. The case involved a claim for some €15 million compensation by Dr McGarry. She used rooms on the property for her practice as an ophthalmologist and optician known as The Eye Centre. She also has consulting rooms at Anglesea Road, Dublin. The Carlow property consisted of a house, consulting rooms garden and offices. Carlow Town Council said 11 properties had been affected by the CPO published in January 2005. It said the order had been subsequently examined and confirmed by An Bord Pleanála.