Galway's historic Rahoon House is to become a test case in the west for new legislation which aims to protect architectural heritage. Kenny Developments, one of the city's biggest building companies, faces heavy penalties if it fails to comply by October 20th with an endangerment notice issued by Galway Corporation.
Penalties for summary conviction include a fine of £1,500, daily penalties for continued non-compliance, or six months' imprisonment; and fines of up to £1 million, daily penalties or imprisonment, on indictment.
The new powers were extended to local authorities last January under the 1999 Local Government (Planning and Development) Act.
Kenny Developments owns the Georgian house, which is believed to have been used as a base by Daniel O'Connell, the 19th century leader, during visits to Galway, and by several literary figures during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The adjoining land was part of the Bodkin estate, and was latterly occupied by the Joyces - one of whom is said to have designed the famous Claddagh ring.
Last month the house was damaged by fire. However, the company has dismissed claims by An Taisce's Galway branch that it failed to preserve and protect the property.
Mr Derrick Hambleton, chairman of the branch, said that severe damage has already been done to the interior, including the staircase, ornate ceiling plasterwork, doors and windows.
Two fine Italian marble fire surrounds have been removed, he said, and residents of Ros Geal estate, on which the house is located, have reported seeing people removing wooden shutters from windows and lighting matches inside.
A spokesman for Kenny Developments said that the fire caused only superficial damage and should not significantly impede the restoration work which it intends to carry out.
Under the endangerment notice, issued by the Galway city manager on June 20th, it must restore the windows and doors in materials and finishes that match the existing installations; replace the missing windows and doors with ones appropriate to the architectural character of the building; repair the external plasterwork; install a security system which will discourage vandals from entering or causing damage to the external fabric.
It must also ensure that water cannot penetrate the building's fabric during or after the work.
The notice came into effect a month after issue, and with a three-month deadline. Galway's acting city manager, Ms Martina Moloney, told The Irish Times that the development company had acknowledged receipt, but had also said it was having difficulty in sourcing the necessary skills for the work.
The local authority has supplied it with a list of experts, and has offered the services of its heritage officer, Mr Jim Higgins.
Apart from fines for non-compliance, the local authority can acquire the protected structure by agreement or by compulsory purchase under the legislation.