Historic house next to former fruit market is being illegally occupied, court hears
High Court reporters
A building next to the former fruit and vegetable market in north inner city Dublin and earmarked for inclusion as a protected structure is being illegally occupied, the High Court heard.
Arran House, at East Arran Street, is close to the former market building currently undergoing major conservation and refurbishment works as part of a plan by its owners, Dublin City Council, to rejuvenate the area. The market project is due for completion in 2027.
Arran House, a three-storey house structure built around 1890 and formerly used for commercial purposes, is also owned by the council, which intends to use it again for commercial purposes ancillary to the market.
It is on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which highlights structures of historical, artistic or technical significance and which is used for recommendations for inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures.
The house last had a commercial tenant in April 2024 from when the council says it was intended to leave it vacant and then carry out a feasibility study regarding uses and undertake certain works.
It has been periodically checked since then by Siobhan Maher, the council’s project manager for the market rejuvenation.
Ms Maher said in an affidavit she did a visual check on January 26th and it appeared secure.
But on February 16th she said she noticed the locks had been changed and the door appeared to be locked from inside, while curtains on the upper levels were drawn and the third-floor window was open.
The next day she attended the building with a number of other city council employees and the gardaí and saw a male exiting the property. Upon knocking on the door three people were seen inside through an opening, she said.
A male spoke through and opening and refused to open the door or identify himself. It was determined to be a civil matter, she said.
Gardaí were again called to the house on March 8th as a result of complaints about some 20-30 young people on the roof playing music and singing from around 5pm, she said.
On Thursday, Mr Justice Brian Cregan granted the council leave for short service of proceedings seeking possession of the building and preventing trespass by all "persons unknown" in occupation of the property.
The application was made on a one-side only represented basis and the judge said the case could come back next week.
He noted there was considerable urgency to the matter after he was told there were fire safety issues with the building and possibly asbestos in the walls.
