Rugby star Kearney wins battle to build in home town

Irish rugby star, Rob Kearney, has won a planning row to build a new home in his native Carlingford, Co Louth, despite claims that it could be used to host hen and stag parties.

The Ireland and Leinster full-back has secured planning permission to build a three-storey house, on a vacant site at Back Lane, in the centre of the heritage town.

An Bord Pleanála rejected an appeal by one of Mr Kearney’s neighbours, Elizabeth-Ann McKevitt, against the development.