Public hearing ordered into €460m casino plan

A PUBLIC hearing is to be held to examine a planned €460 million casino and leisure development for Co Tipperary.

An Bord Pleanála has decided to hold an oral hearing into the project, mooted by businessman and former garda, Richard Quirke, for a 900-acre site in Two-Mile-Borris, outside Thurles.

North Tipperary County Council has already granted planning permission to Mr Quirke for his development, known as The Tipperary Venue, but that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by An Táisce, among others. The hearing is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Independent TD Michael Lowry has lent his support to the project and said earlier this year he hopes legislation can be changed to allow a casino to occupy part of the proposed Tipperary Venue complex.

The project also includes a 500-bedroom hotel, equestrian centre, horseracing course, greyhound racing track, 15,000-seat indoor entertainment venue, and a replica of the White House in memory of its designer, Kilkenny-born architect James Hoban.