The man known as the “Anglo Avenger” over high-profile protests against Anglo Irish Bank must take down a Stonehenge- like structure built as a place of reflection on Achill Island, Co Mayo, following a ruling by An Bord Pleanála.
One-time property developer and Achill native Joe McNamara had argued the structure was exempted development and did not require planning permission. His appeal to An Bord Pleanála failed. The planning appeals board sided with Mayo County Council and ruled against Mr McNamara’s contention.
Mr McNamara and a group of workers built the structure over one weekend last November without planning permission.
It is located on commonage, to which Mr McNamara has access rights. It consists of 30 concrete columns, each close to 15ft (4.5m) tall, carrying lintels in a circle. It is 30m in diameter.
In March the High Court ruled that if An Bord Pleanála ruled in the council’s favour, Mr McNamara must take down the structure. The council previously obtained High Court injunctions for Mr McNamara to cease work on the structure and he spent three nights in jail for refusing to comply with some of these.