A Dublin businessman and architect has brought a High Court challenge to the preservation orders on premises in Dublin's Moore Street, including one believed to be the final headquarters of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Paul Clinton, of The Gate Lodge, Ranelagh, was granted leave by Mr Justice Frank Clarke to seek orders aimed at overturning the decision of the Minister for the Environment, made under the National Monuments Act, to place a preservation order on premises at 14, 15, 16 and 17 Moore Street.
No 16 Moore Street is believed to be where the leaders of the 1916 Rising made the decision to surrender to the British forces. Mr Clinton disputes this.
In his judicial review challenge, Mr Clinton contends that Section 8 (1) of the National Monuments Act is invalid. He is seeking an order directing the National Monuments Service to give him its reasons why a preservation order was made, and to discover all relevant legal document
In an affidavit Mr Clinton said he was the co-owner of 15, 16 and 17 Moore Street and enjoyed a leasehold interest in No 14.
He was made aware of the preservation orders by the National Monument Service in January, and was informed the preservation of the properties was a matter of national importance.
He said there was no reference in correspondence from the monument service to the "mistaken belief" that 16 Moore Street was the final headquarters of the first provisional government during the Rising and was where the decision to surrender was made.
The National Monument Service was not prepared to review its position, and would not meet him to discuss the matter.
He said the properties had little or no architectural merit and no archaeological value.