The only daughter of John and Mary McShain, American builders and philanthropists who gave much of the 25,000-acre Killarney Park to the State, has said that the neglect of the historic Killarney House, her parents' home for 40 years, "is a disgrace".
Ten years after being given to the State, the house, which dates from the early 18th century, has been left to fall apart and is being used by squatters. Speaking from her home in America, Pauline McShain said yesterday she would "very much" like to meet the Government over the issue and would like an explanation. She was sad and disillusioned with the Government, she said.
"My parents restored and beautified Killarney House. It is a treasure. It should be the centre of Killarney National Park. But it's falling into a ruin," she said.
A spokesman for Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, said last night: "the Minister is very concerned at the prospect of such a national resource being left in this state". But Mr Gormley was also "honest enough to acknowledge that he doesn't have the millions required for the renovation". He would, however, look at other sources including the national lottery and the dormant accounts funds, the spokesman said.
The deterioration of the historic building, part of a French-style chateau which was home to the Earls of Kenmare, has been the subject of concern for some time and was again raised in the Seanad by Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan yesterday.
The Senator heavily criticised the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment for refusing to endorse it "as a tourism project of international standing" so Fáilte Ireland could allocate it money under the National Development Plan. The tourism body had been prepared to fund it, the Senator said. He described the NPWS action as "akin to national sabotage".
Last week the mayor of Killarney, Niall O'Callaghan, disclosed that squatters had taken up residence in the house. He has twice written to Mr Gormley, who has responsibility for the historic building, seeking funding. There have been calls to use the house and its grounds as the town's first performing arts centre and museum.
Some years ago, Dick Roche, then environment minister, with responsibility for the historic building, said the renovation had been estimated at €5 million, but money never materialised.