Decision to save city house wins corporation praise

DUBLIN Corporation has been warmly congratulated by conservationists for its decision not to demolish a listed Georgian house in Parnell Square on foot of a dangerous buildings notice.

In a statement, the corporation said it had carried out a reappraisal of the structural condition of the building, No. 16 Parnell Square, earlier yesterday and it was "now satisfied that further demolition of the front of the building is not required".

An annexe at the rear, on Gardiner Row, had already been demolished because it was in imminent danger of collapse". But the works being carried out on the main building would consist of "securing and weatherproofing" to preserve its "important internal, features".

The roof was removed by contractors acting for the owner, Mr John Byrne, the Kerry-born property developer whose first major project in the city was O'Connell Bridge House in 1964. Damage has also been done to the interior.

Mr Michael Smith, of An Taisce, described the corporation's decision as a watershed: "It is indicative that enlightened forces within Dublin Corporation are wresting real power from the 1960s refugees with their scorched-earth attitude to conservation."

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe (Greens) said that, for too long, the corporation's dangerous buildings department had been "giving carte blanche for the destruction of listed buildings".

Cllr Joe Costello TD (Labour), who had raised the matter in the Dail, said it was "excellent news". Not only did it mean that an important listed building would be saved, but its only tenant - Ms Anne Walsh - would be able to reopen her ground-floor restaurant.

Ms Walsh was preparing to seek a High Court injunction yesterday if the corporation had moved to execute the dangerous buildings order by the city architect, Mr Jim Barrett.