Businessman O'Gara claims to own Terenure car park

A CAR park in South Dublin has become the latest battle ground between Athlone businessman Noel O’Gara and Dublin City Council.

Mr O’Gara, who came to public attention four years ago when he claimed ownership of Dartmouth Square in Ranelagh, has now claimed to own a car park on Terenure Road North, close to a HSE health centre. The site had been run as a car park by Dublin City Council since 1974.

Last month, Mr O’Gara put up signs and covered the pay and display ticket machines, telling locals he was the owner. He charged drivers €1 to park for three hours and said, unlike the council, he would not use clampers.

In response, the council hired a security firm to prevent Mr O’Gara from covering the meter.

Residents, including the Terenure Village Network, have called on the council and HSE to settle the matter.

Mr O’Gara said he bought the title 10 years ago from the estate of Sir Robert Shaw. The HSE had forwarded its title to his solicitor, but this was only a fee farm grant, a title similar to a freehold, but with some obligations to a landlord.

Under the grant all mineral rights, mining rights and royalties were to be retained by the landlord, Mr O’Gara said. Parking charges and clamping fees were royalties, he claimed, and he was the landlord. However a spokeswoman for the HSE said it had “at all times” been owner of the site.