Controversy over six-storey block for Kilmainham

Dublin Corporation has granted planning permission for a controversial six-storey office development overlooking historic buildings in Kilmainham, among them the Royal Hospital and Kilmainham Gaol.

The development in three blocks comprising six, five and three storeys is designed to provide 392,380 square feet of office space, a three-level underground car-park for approximately 600 cars, and three retail units totalling 4,843 square feet. It is being proposed by well known Dublin property developers Mr Johnny Rohan and Mr Richard Barrett through a company called Charmside Developments.

An application to demolish the former Rowntree Macintosh confectionery factory is also included in the application.

However, the Friends of Kilmainham who lodged objections to the proposed development announced yesterday they would appeal the Corporations's decision to An Bord Pleanala.

According to Mr John Callery, chairman of the Friends, the development would "completely dwarf" a number of historic sites visited by tens of thousands of tourists every day.

Among these is Kilmainham Gaol. Mr Callery said the committee was particularly disappointed that the current Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, refused their objection to the development - particularly as her grandfather, the late President de Valera, had been incarcerated there during the struggle for independence.

Kilmainham Gaol dates from 1796 and has strong associations with Irish history. The leaders of the 1916 rising, including Padraig Pearse, were executed there. It is now a national monument, and contains a museum which attracted almost 200,000 visitors last year.

According to Mr Callery, the proposed office blocks are too large in relation to the jail and would diminish its stature.

The buildings would also diminish the Irish National Memorial Gardens, he said. These were designed by Edward Lutyens and laid out in the 1930s to commemorate the Irish soldiers who died in the first World War. He also says it would have a detrimental effect on the vista of the Royal Hospital which dates from 1684 and which is based on Les Invalides in Paris.

Other historic sites in the immediate area include the Old Courthouse dating from the 19th century and the Richmond Guard Tower which was built in 1811-12 on the south quays of the River Liffey. The tower was moved to its present position in 1847.

The Friends of Kilmainham have opened a website at www.kilmainham-gaol.com