One of Dublin’s most prominent property developers wants to change the name of a north Dublin street which has potential negative associations with the notorious apartment complex, Priory Hall.

Gannon Properties, owned by Gerry Gannon, one of the Maple 10 Anglo investors, has asked Dublin City Council to change the name of "Priory Street" in Clongriffin to "Park Street".

The road is less than half a kilometre from Priory Hall, the now empty complex which is to be rebuilt by the council at a cost of more than €10 million.

Gannon Properties was behind the development of most of the emerging suburb of Clongriffin, including its Dart station, a street network, shops, a park-and-ride facility, as well as several hundred houses and apartments, with planning permission for hundreds more.

Gannon was not involved in the development of Priory Hall which was built by Tom McFeely. The residents of the 187 apartments at Priory Hall were evacuated from their homes on the orders of the High Court 2½ ago because of fire risks.

The former owner-occupiers of the apartments accepted a deal last October which allowed them to walk away from the apartments.

Banks agreed to write off their debts and give them mortgages to buy elsewhere.

Builders sought
As part of the deal, the city council agreed to take over the complex and refurbish it over two years.

The council last month advertised for builders to bid to redevelop the first phase, of just under one-third of the development. The complex will also be renamed before homes are offered for sale.

Priory Street is the only road in the area which retains any reference to, or has any connotations with, Priory Hall.

The council’s heritage officer has considered the Gannon proposal and has determined that the name Park Street would be appropriate. However, the decision to allow the renaming rests with city councillors who will consider the request at a meeting next week.

Gannon Properties did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.