Report Paul Murphy
The seizure by Gardai this morning of a house built without planning permission at Bohermeen outside Navan brings to an end a 20-year saga marked by numerous court appearances as the couple who owned it struggled to keep the property intact. Chris and Rose Murray mounted five futile retention bids and three failed appeals to keep the 526sqm home.
Last November they brought their case to the Supreme Court but that court rejected their application for a further heading. A previous court hearing heard that they had built the house in “wilful breach” of Planning laws. Meath County Council has been pursuing the matter for years. The council took a case against the couple in 2007 under Section 160 of the Planning Act to remove any unauthorised development of their land.
They were given a year to vacate the property. When the couple refused to vacate the council took contempt proceedings. That was settled on the basis that the Murrays would vacate within two years so as to allow the council to demolish the house. However, three days before they were due to leave the Murrays took a case against the council claiming they had new evidence relating to land sterilisation agreements made by the previous owners of the land that invalidated the council’s planning refusals.
In 2024 the High Court granted a council application to strike out the Murrays’ case as “frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of process.”
The Elected Members of Meath County Council were advised by social media, the message read;
”I am writing to advise you that Meath County Council is currently acting on foot of a High Court order issued in relation to the property at Bohermeen. The Court directed that An Garda SÃochána assist the Council in taking possession of the property which has now been secured.
As this is an ongoing legal matter, Meath County Council is unable to comment further at this time. The update is provided to keep members informed, and we appreciate your understanding given the legal constrains in place.”
