An enclosed order of nuns has appealed to An Bord Pleanála to reconsider the granting of planning permission for a multi-storey office complex due to be built next to their convent because of its impact on their "privacy and confidentiality".
Mr Patrick Linders, representing the Poor Clare Sisters, said three of the five proposed office blocks overlooked the order's property, and a gable of one such block overlooked its cemetery and prayer garden, which the nuns had used since 1906.
Mr Linders, who was joined at the hearing by two members of the order, Sister Bridget and Sister Carmel, said they were not against the RDS progressing and developing but "they would plead with you to respect their privacy".
The Sisters were one of 21 third-party appellants to the decision of Dublin City Council last December to grant planning permission for the development.
Local residents' associations, and St Mary's Church and Parish, were among the other objectors to the plan, citing complaints ranging from increased traffic to the risk of flooding at the River Dodder due to an increased strain on the local drainage system.
Dr Diarmuid Ó Gráda, a planning consultant representing the Anglesea Road Residents' Association, said there was concern that the office blocks would be occupied seven days a week, giving rise to considerable local disruption.
"The RDS began quietly with scientific proceedings and animal displays. It has, however, ended up with ear-splitting rock concerts and parking mayhem," he remarked. "A quiet neighbourhood which was initially receptive of the new institution could not have predicted its damaging intensification over time," Dr Ó Gráda added.
The oral hearing ended yesterday and a ruling is expected within two months.
