Last orders: Council's order to deconstruct pub extension gets thrown out

Dublin publican Declan Doyle went to court after Dublin City Council ordered him to deconstruct the extensive renovations he had carried out in the premises next door to his landmark pub

Declan Doyle at Doyles pub on Fleet Street, Dublin: Judge ruled the invalidation of the commencement notice — which was the basis for the council pursuing Mr Doyle — 'offended the principles of natural justice'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 

An attempt by a local authority to have an extension to a landmark pub “deconstructed” was thrown out by a court this week in a case that was described by an expert witness as being more concerned with “punishment” rather than enforcing planning laws.

The case concerned an extension to a landmark Dublin pub, Doyles of Fleet Street. The proprietor, Declan Doyle, bought the premises next door, a disused bookie’s shop, in order to extend the pub. He received planning permission for the venture but the permission had lapsed by the time he began works in 2020.