Madam, - I echo Tony Corcoran's view of the derisory €1,000 fine imposed on the developer who illegally demolished the Presentation Convent in Terenure. Dublin City Council was in the process of having the convent declared a protected structure. However, a solicitor for the defendant claimed his client was under the impression that an exemption from permission applied in this case. Why then, did the demolition take place very early on a Saturday morning in November 2006?
The developer is now expected to apply for planning permission on the site.
I feel Dublin District Court has let the local population down by administering a very small slap on the wrist for a wanton act of vandalism. I sincerely hope the planners will take all this into account when permission is sought to build on this site and act in the best interests of the people and not the developer. - Yours, etc,
SHEILA REYNOLDS,
Greenlea Road.
Terenure,
Dublin 6w.
***
Madam, - Actions speak louder than words, and the behaviour of Kimpton Vale Ltd in demolishing a fine convent building early on a Saturday morning, and then failing to stop or reinstate the structure after being served notice twice, is clear evidence of its contempt for the planning system. The €1,000 fine for this unacceptable behaviour is an insult to the concept of protected structures and a green light to any developer to get rid themselves of historic structures so as to maximise their profits.
If Dublin City Council is serious about our heritage, it will refuse Kimpton Vale planning permission for the site. - Yours, etc,
D. O'SHEA,
Terenure Road West,
Dublin 6W.