“It’s giving colonialism”: Ireland still owes rent to dukes and earls
Although, even though the OPW lists these rents as payable, some of the named beneficiaries say they haven't been getting them.
But even if its appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála is successful, one of its owners has other, bigger problems: Cathal O’Connor has been sentenced to prison.
The Department of Finance, with Revenue and the Department of Housing, is looking at a new definition, said a spokesperson.
Its story reads like a cheap pastiche of Edgar Allan Poe, a century-long streak of tragedy and misfortune, ending in a fire in 2007.
Seven areas of expertise should be represented, said a recent council report.
“I think it's so sad that a beautiful little house was destroyed,” says Rosita Sweetman. “It seems we are incredibly bad at managing our housing stock.”
Is the issue paperwork? Attention and will? Money? The department?
As of April, only nine of the 23 ground-floor units across the Herberton Complex were occupied.
The Georgian building was once a meeting place for revolutionary leaders and the Gaelic League, and has been in council ownership, at least on paper, since 1998.
Because of its central location, the high footfall in the area, and its proximity to a lot of venues and cultural spaces, it’s become a premier flyering spot.
The council promised to start taking legal action against owners of derelict homes who don’t pay the levy going forward.
That would be welcome given the ongoing shortage of spaces in the developed neighbourhood, say councillors.
One landowner says that he doesn’t make that much from it, and is eager to develop the building.