Developer accused of damaging Meath Street grotto during hotel construction
Councillors and local residents in the Liberties have accused the developer of an under-construction hotel in the Liberties of damaging the structure of a grotto on Meath Street.
A wall propping up a portion of the grotto from the rear has been demolished during the construction of the Molyneux Hotel, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the sacred refuge for local residents.
Dublin-headquartered Salamisso Developments began construction on site in the last few months, amidst opposition from local people, who worried it would contribute to the hollowing out of the area and damage the grotto next door.
Speaking at yesterday’s meeting of the South Central Area committee of Dublin City Council (DCC), Sinn Féin councillor Ciarán Ó Meachair said two weeks ago residents noticed the damage to the walls of the grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.
"This seems to have come from the hotel construction work taking place on the other side of the grotto,” he said, adding that it felt like a “kick in the teeth” to residents who already opposed the hotel development.
Mr Ó Meachair said it was “one of the most sacred sites” in the Liberties, and to have it damaged by the development was “quite sickening.”
DCC confirmed to Mr Ó Meachair that an investigation into the matter had been launched by the planning enforcement department on foot of the reports.
“I acknowledge that planning enforcement have said they have commenced their investigation … but it’s really terrible that it’s come to this,” he said.
The grotto on Meath Street. Picture credit: DubhEire/Wikimedia Commons
Other councillors echoed the sentiments of Mr Ó Meachair, with Labour’s Darragh Moriarty saying that the concerns around the grotto were well-aired long before construction on the hotel began.
"I don’t think anyone would take any pride in saying I told you so, but that’s exactly what has now come to pass,” he said.
Social Democrats councillor Lesley Byrne said she felt the destruction of the wall was symbolic of the wider damage being done to the Liberties area.
"It’s like a physical manifestation of the actual violence that is being done in the Liberties in terms of hotels, student accommodation, all the things that have been mentioned here tonight,” she said.
"I think it’s our responsibility, every single one of us in this room, to really make sure other councillors, actually even in other areas, who have responsibility for the city as a whole, not just the areas they represent, are actually fully aware or taking stock of what is happening to a really, really crucial and important part of the city.”
“When you look at some of the images of streets, when you walk down streets, it’s sterile, it’s completely losing its value of who it is and what it is,” she added.
Council management present at the meeting said the planning enforcement section of the authority was taking the report seriously, and a site inspection would be arranged over the coming days.
"From the area perspective, we’ll continue to keep an eye on it,” they said.
Salamisso Developments has been contacted for comment.