House on proposed prison site to become listed building

Thorton Hall, the house on the site of the proposed prison complex on the Meath Dublin border, is set to become a protected structure following a recommendation from Fingal County Council's conservation department.

Councillors are expected to approve the recommendation at their meeting on Monday, after they previously requested that the entire Thorton lands be made an Archaeological Conservation Area.

If it is passed, the 19th century house on the east of the site will be placed on the Record of Protected Structures.

The Government bought the land for €30m last October.

High Court proceedings against the Department of Justice are due to begin in February on the basis that the site is a national monument.