Demolition work resumed Friday morning on a sprawling home in County Meath, Ireland, built nearly two decades ago without planning permission, leaving the family who constructed it facing an uncertain future. Rose Murray, whose family built the 588 square meter (6,220 square foot) house at Faughan Hill in Bohermeen, told The Irish Times she and her husband, Chris, are scheduled to appear in court Monday on a charge of contempt. The demolition marks the end of a 20-year legal battle with Meath County Council, a saga that has captivated the nation and raised questions about planning enforcement and individual rights.
The sound of breaking glass signaled the start of the demolition on Thursday, as workers began to dismantle the structure. Murray said the “whole crew” was back on site Friday, continuing the work. She is currently outside of Ireland, fearing arrest, but is receiving updates from family and members of the local community, many of whom she says have been supportive, assisting with the removal of their belongings earlier this week. The family’s possessions were removed after security teams took possession of the property on Monday, according to reports.
The Murrays’ struggle began in 2006 when they began construction on a home significantly larger than the one they had initially sought permission to build. Their initial application for a 283 square meter house was refused by Meath County Council due to concerns about density and lack of services, according to The Irish Times. Despite the refusal, the couple proceeded with building a much larger residence, launching a series of unsuccessful appeals to retain it.
A Two-Decade Legal Fight
Over the years, the Murrays pursued multiple avenues to maintain their home, mounting five unsuccessful retention bids and three failed appeals, including challenges to An Bord Pleanála, the High Court, the Supreme Court, and even the European Court of Human Rights. Judge John Edwards of the High Court ruled in 2010 that the construction was not a “technicality” but a “flagrant breach” of planning laws. Despite the rulings, the family continued to fight the council’s attempts to enforce the demolition order, with some legal efforts dismissed as “frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of process.”
Murray claims the couple attempted to negotiate with the council to reduce the size of the property, but their offers were repeatedly rejected. She also alleges a “personal vendetta” fueled the council’s persistence, claiming that a local politician and a senior planning official had initially expressed support for building on other sites before the Faughan Hill property was purchased. She further stated the family installed a “state of the art” percolation system on a nine-acre field, and were told the land had previously been “sterilised” – legally restricted from building – but that this process was never completed.
“If I had it all to do again, I’d just move into a caravan.”
Now, facing homelessness, Murray expressed regret over their actions. “If I had it all to do again, I’d just move into a caravan,” she told The Irish Times. She described the treatment of her family during the removal of their possessions as “barbaric,” but acknowledged the mistake of building without proper permission. The family is currently scattered, with her son reportedly told by authorities that he could stay in a bed and breakfast typically used for refugees, a comment Murray found particularly upsetting.
The demolition is proceeding as the family prepares for their court appearance on Monday. The charge of contempt relates to alleged non-compliance with previous court orders to vacate the property. The future remains uncertain for the Murrays, who now face the prospect of rebuilding their lives after losing their home of nearly two decades. The case highlights the complexities of planning laws and the potential consequences of building without permission, even with years of determined resistance.
The demolition of the illegally-built Meath home serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to planning regulations and the potential for lengthy and costly legal battles when those regulations are ignored. The case is likely to continue to draw attention to the challenges faced by individuals navigating Ireland’s planning system.
The next step in this case is the Murrays’ court appearance on Monday, where they will face the contempt charge. Further updates will be provided as they turn into available.
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