The Government’s failure to submit their appeal on the time to the High Court, regarding the judgement protecting the historic 1916 Moore Street Terrace from demolition, has been described as bizarre, but extremely welcome, by Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The Government were supposed to have submitted their appeal against the High Court judgement on Moore Street recently, but they have missed the deadline. This comes after a three month extension on their original appeal, which granted them leave to appeal on the 18 September.

“It strikes me as highly unusual that the Minister for Heritage, Heather Humphreys, and the Government have yet to submit their appeal. Hopefully it’s another indication that their case is now falling apart.

“Hopefully it also indicates that they don’t really know what they are appealing and that has resulted in the delay. This is all happening in spite of the Government having deployed a huge legal team, with up to 12 barristers, to try and pick holes in the original case.

“In my opinion the decision by Minister Humphreys and the current Government to take the case to the High Court for the demolition of our National Monument is totally wrong. In all honesty what other country would allow the site of their freedom struggle to be turned into a Shopping Centre?

“It will also result in a massive financial cost to the Irish taxpayer, who I suspect if actually asked, would opt for the retention of the site where the Easter surrender occurred.

“Millions of euros have already been spent on this case, money that could have put to better use in securing and developing the 1916 site. Surely the centenary year of the event is highly opportune for the Government to withdraw its craven appeal, and to allow the Moore Street site to develop as a Cultural Quarter befitting its iconic and historic status.”

ENDS