Kilkenny County Council has granted planning permission to the luxury Lyrath Estate Hotel for the retention of a controversial entrance on the N10 road outside the city.
In June, the Taoiseach cancelled his scheduled opening of the hotel at the last minute having learned that the entrance structure was the subject of court proceedings.
The owner of the hotel, businessman Xavier McAuliffe, said at the time that the Taoiseach lacked "balls", but later told The Irish Times that he had apologised to Mr Ahern for the remark.
The hotel opening went ahead without the Taoiseach on June 23rd last.
Last May, Kilkenny County Council took the hotel to court for breaching its planning permission. Following a hearing of the case before Judge William Harnett, the hotel pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court ordered that the unauthorised wing, wall advertising structures, four uplighters and six flag poles located at the entrance be removed not later than July 1st.
The hotel, which cost an estimated €50 million to build, was fined €1,000 and costs were awarded to Kilkenny County Council.
However, that decision was appealed to the Circuit Court and a date for the hearing is awaited.
Meanwhile, on July 12th the hotel lodged a retention planning request for the entrance with Kilkenny County Council, which has now approved the application.