The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: The Meath demolition drama and our troubled relationship with planning

Chris and Rose Murray built the house near Navan in 2006 despite being refused planning permission for a bungalow half that size on the site

Lorcan Sirr believes the Irish attitude to planning permission — sin first, seek forgiveness later — is a particular feature of Catholic countries

The demolition of a family home in Co Meath last week brought the idea of ‘build first, apply for retention later’ into the spotlight.

Chris and Rose Murray built the 588sq m (6,220sq ft) house near Navan in 2006 despite being refused planning permission for a bungalow half that size on the site. After five unsuccessful retention bids and three failed appeals to keep the home intact, it was eventually demolished last week.