After attempting to officially label his "Stonhenge-like structure" as a place of exempted development, Joe McNamara, 41, must now face the opposite task of demolishing the structure.
The Mayo County Council is seeking a High Court order to force property developer McNamara to completely demolish the structure that he has thus far built without permission.
The structure itself is composed of an outer ring of 30 columns with stones on top, and McNamara claims that it was built as a "place of reflection" for those who wished to use it.
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The main problem with labeling the structure on Achill Island as virtually untouchable is that, "we still don’t know what it [the structure] is”, Pat Butler SC, for the council, said. From the council's perspective, the structure is an "unauthorised development built without permission close to a protected archaeological site," according to the Irish Times.
Also adding to the court's reluctance to leave the structure alone is Mr. McNamara's poor standing with the council. McNamara was just freed from prison this past Monday after spending the weekend there for refusing to stop work on the site, despite court orders demanding immediate cessation.
However, McNamara is claiming that by law, he doesn't have to stop working. According to the Planning and Development Regulations of 2001, he has contended that building his structure does not require the council's permission, because it qualifies as an exempted development - that is, if it is approved as one.
The case is unlikely to be heard before Christmas, and as of now McNamara has agreed that he will not work on his site until the case in over.
Here’s some raw footage of the Achill Henge:
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.ellenfromcork | Dec 11, 2011, 01:04 PM EST
That's ... make me so glad..
ellenfromcork | Dec 11, 2011, 01:03 PM EST
It's stories like this that make so glad to be Irish.We are crazy in so many delightful ways. (and some not so delightful!)
CaptainCon | Dec 11, 2011, 02:37 AM EST
Amazing how fast the Irish judicial system can move when it wants to. Three years and counting since a number of fraudsters and conmen were identified in influential positions in the Irish banking sector and files are still processing in stately Buck Mulligan fashion between important offices in Dublin. McNamara should have bought Anglo-Irish Bank when he had the chance. He'd own Ireland's biggest monument to the ancient art of Fianna Fail and be playing golf with judges today.
Searlit | Dec 09, 2011, 10:02 PM EST
@Murph46, no I don't think it's Irish, unless the soft drink Moxie was. That's where the term comes from. I suppose you know that, though. McNamara's got courage, fortitude and tenacity.
kieffer | Dec 09, 2011, 08:22 PM EST
It's ugly
sirpeter | Dec 09, 2011, 01:49 PM EST
Erra.They should leave it there.It might come in handy as a spot to bury the FF party.An everlasting reminder of betrayal.
SeamusMartin | Dec 09, 2011, 12:05 PM EST
Leave him alone The council should worry about other issues. Yeah... and what is the close protected archeological site? The structure would be a site for tourists to visit. I think it's cool; I'd go see it!
Murph46 | Dec 09, 2011, 11:31 AM EST
Hey Searlit I thought I was the last to know what moxie is-good to know there are some of us left-is moxie Irish?
Searlit | Dec 09, 2011, 11:22 AM EST
This man McNamara's got moxie, I like that!
nosoupforU | Dec 09, 2011, 11:21 AM EST
"unauthorised development built without permission close to a protected archaeological site," What is the protected site?
Murph46 | Dec 09, 2011, 10:45 AM EST
Surely they could use it as a tourist site.I would visit it vs.Stonhenge cause I'd rather be in Ireland.