Call to protect churches

SYNAGOGUES AND churches no longer in use should be listed as protected buildings by local authorities, Joe Costello (Labour, Dublin Central) said.

He said it was unbelievable to think that a developer could recently use a bulldozer to demolish the old Methodist church on Jones’s Road in the heart of Dublin.

“It is a case of absolute vandalism and must be treated in that fashion. The local residents are up in arms that this happened.’’

Mr Costello said the local authority enforcement section served an order on the developer to desist from further demolition. Instead of desisting, he returned early the following morning and continued with the demolition.

The local residents want the church restored, he said.