A long-running planning dispute in Co Meath has come to an end after a house at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen was demolished, bringing a nearly 20-year legal battle to a close.
Michael and Rose Murray, the owners of the property, appeared before the High Court in Dublin under garda custody, where contempt of court proceedings taken by Meath County Council were ultimately discharged.
The case dates back to 2006, when the couple were refused planning permission for a dormer bungalow near Navan. Despite this, the court heard they went on to construct a property on the site that was significantly larger than what had originally been proposed.
Speaking in court, Michael Murray claimed the council had sent a large team to remove the family from the home.
“What you’ve done to my children is unbelievable,” he said, alleging that men wearing balaclavas entered the property while his family were having breakfast.
However, the proceedings centred on whether the couple had breached an earlier undertaking to vacate the property.
Their solicitor, Neil McNelis, said this was strongly disputed. “Our position is we didn’t breach it,” he told the court.
Under questioning, Michael Murray said he had been living in the house until recently, but confirmed its current state. “There’s no property there [now]. It’s just a ball of rubble,” he said.
Rose Murray also gave evidence, telling the court she had lived at the property for “about 20 years” before leaving earlier this year.
The court also heard evidence of alleged threats made against workers involved in demolishing the house. One witness said a haulage contractor had been warned he would be “burnt out” if he returned to the site, while a garda described a phone call threatening that “there will be nothing left of his house” if rubble was removed.
The Murrays denied any involvement in these incidents.
Michael Murray told the court: “The threats didn’t come from me.” Their legal team also insisted any alleged criminality by third parties should not be linked to the couple.
Counsel for the council, Deirdre Hughes, said the local authority was seeking assurances that the Murrays would cooperate with the completion of demolition works and assist gardaí if further interference occurred.
Both Michael and Rose Murray agreed under oath to a series of undertakings, including cooperating fully with the council, assisting gardaí in identifying anyone attempting to disrupt the works, and not encouraging any interference going forward.
Presiding over the case, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys warned the couple their liberty was at stake if they failed to cooperate fully with the court.
However, following the undertakings, the judge agreed to discharge the contempt order. The court heard that the original orders were now effectively “defunct” given the house had already been demolished.
In delivering his ruling, Mr Justice Humphreys said it was in everyone’s interest to bring the matter to a close as quickly as possible, noting that reports of threats had accelerated the demolition process to avoid further escalation.
While the contempt proceedings have now been resolved, the issue of legal costs is expected to be dealt with at a later date.
The demolition marks the end of a prolonged and contentious dispute between the couple and Meath County Council, closing a chapter that has spanned nearly two decades.
