Madam, – The review by Mary E Daly of Clair Wills' book, Dublin 1916: The Siege of the GPO, (Weekend Review, April 4th) is timely not only because of Easter, but also because of disturbing developments regarding the future of what remains of Moore Street, the last headquarters of the the GPO garrison and the location of their decision to surrender.
No 14 to 17 Moore Street form part of the National Monument designated by the Oireachtas to honour the men and women of the Rising. Government Ministers Willie O’Dea and John Gormley are on record as being committed to its preservation and possible enhancement.
This is hardly a surprise – what is surprising, however, is that our city planners in their undoubted wisdom recently granted planning permission to a private developer to build a colossal shopping mall in around and on part on the area of this national monument. The permission allows for major alterations to listed buildings, demolition of other protected structures and, incredibly, the provision of toilets, canteens and kitchens in the basement area of No 14 to 17. The plan will also close city streets and laneways directly associated with the garrison retreat to the safety of the Moore Street terrace.
Relatives of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, concerned conservation groups and private citizens are appealing this decision and have been granted an oral hearing listed for April 20th to 24th next, at the Gresham Hotel – dates and location ironically linked in history to the 1916 Rising.
We object strenuously to the incursions on the national monument area and believe that the site should only be developed by, or under the direct supervision of such bodies as the National Museum or the Office of Public Works and in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Shaffrey report, 2005, commissioned by Dublin City Council itself. Anything less would be deeply insulting to the memory of those men and women whom the national monument honours. – Yours, etc,