€14m house ‘was allowed to become derelict for development advantage’

Ireland’s most expensive house was allowed to become derelict to gain a development advantage, it was claimed at yesterday’s An Bord Pleanála hearing.

Walford, on Dublin’s Shrewsbury Rd, was now known as ‘Bleak House’, planning consultant Anne Mulcrone told the hearing when speaking on behalf of Stephen MacKenzie, a resident on the street.

Gayle Killilea, wife of the developer Sean Dunne, bought the Edwardian house in 2005 for €58m. Earlier this year, Mr Dunne told creditors that he gifted the money to his wife.