Protest planned over project to demolish cottages in Ennis and build temporary car park

Tommy Guilfoyle from the Francis Street Alliance said: "Estimates provided by the councillors in favour of the demolition state it could cost upwards of €600,000 or more and campaigners argue that the funds could be better spent renovating these properties."

The Irish Examiner has seen interior images of the houses which show they are uninhabitable, but locals say some were lived in until recently. Photo: Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy

Residents in Ennis have criticised a decision by Clare County Council to demolish a row of six cottages and replace them with a temporary car park at the cost of €1m.

The dwellings on Francis Street are situated in the centre of the town and were purchased by the council in 2022 as part of the Ennis 2040 project for future development. The Irish Examiner has seen interior images of the houses which show they are uninhabitable, but locals say some were lived in until recently.