Lorcan Sirr: Meath house the latest example of our disrespect for planning

From the developer who superglued himself to a County Council office door, to the case of Chris and Rose Murray, our relationship with planning law has always been turbulent, writes Lorcan Sirr

A digger and workmen at the house in Co Meath on Friday which is at the centre of the 20-year legal battle. Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The long-delayed demolition of Chris and Rose Murray’s illegally constructed house in County Meath is just another example of Ireland's ongoing problem with the principle and practice of town planning.

In Meath, the Murrays built a 588 sq m house — five times the size of an average new house — “in wilful breach of the planning laws”, having been refused planning permission for a house half that size.