Vernon Mount owner ‘gutted’ at loss but believes property can be saved

One of the owners of historic Vernon Mount House in Cork, which was completely destroyed in a suspected arson attack, said he is “gutted” at the loss of the property but believes it can be saved.

Quantity surveyor Olaf Maxwell issued a statement to the Irish Examiner yesterday saying he was satisfied recent works he arranged at the listed, but near-derelict, Georgian villa had “fully protected” it against random vandalism.

But despite the extensive fire damage, he believes demolition would be completely unnecessary.