McDowell red-faced over holiday home planning

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell last night found himself in an embarrassing position after it was claimed his designer holiday home in Co Roscommon has no planning permission.

The minister responded to the revelation the €500,000 house on the banks of the River Shannon has no permission by saying it had come as a “bolt out of the blue”.

Late last night the minister said he had learned the house was “substantially” in compliance with the planning conditions.