Locals in the South Dublin suburb of Ballyboden say they are ramping up their campaign against what they claim is a ‘blatant and bewildering’ breach of an enforcement order served on the owners of a landmark house in the area by South Dublin County Council (SDCC).
As reported by Matt Treacy this week, a belated Section 5 application – a request for a declaration as to whether development is exempt – has been submitted in relation to Rosebank House on the Ballyboden Road close to the well-known Rathfarnham landmark, The Yellow House.
It is another development that has no planning permission, and has had an enforcement order issued against it by SDCC to prevent further development – and the company in question is linked to another unauthorised development at Ryevale House in Leixlip, which is being used as an asylum accommodation centre.
A public meeting on the controversy takes place at 7pm this evening – 30th January – at Ballyboden Community Centre
The owners of the period house were served with a formal enforcement notice by SDCC, in early summer last year (2025) but despite this construction work has continued at the site, leading to huge disquiet in the area, according to local historian, John Phelan.
Phelan, who is a Aontú representative in the area says “the longer this situation goes on the more mystifying and frustrating it becomes.”
“The fact is that SDCC is ignoring its own enforcement order by allowing these works to continue. It is as simple and as staggering as that,” he said, adding “SDCC has confirmed in writing to a resident that the ongoing works were unauthorised and required planning permission.”
Parts of the grounds are protected structures including the gothic entrance and part of the old wall and railings but damage is being caused in several areas of the grounds and environs. The Owendoher River is an EU protected river catchment, and residents are worried about it being polluted, he said, also noting that several mature trees have been felled.
“The old narrow bridge has already been damaged by the ongoing works and the heavy construction traffic. Is SDCC going to wait before even more damage is caused before it acts on its own legal order,” Mr Phelan continued.
“What is the point of the local authority issuing a directive to the developers to stop the works and then letting them carry on carte blanche?” he asked. “It doesn’t make sense on any level, and it is setting a terrible precedent. It seriously undermines local planning laws. How can SDCC possibly have any authority over future developments?”
He said that “the silence of elected reps has been quite striking and once again it is left to residents to stand up and fight against this.”
The purpose of the public meeting is “to make it clear to SDCC that we want answers to this, we abide by the rule of law and we want SDCC to explain just why it is standing back and ignoring its very own legal order”, he said.
The site is associated with the owner of a controversial IPAS centre and understood to be designated for homeless accommodation, he added.
A public meeting held in the area recently heard locals speak about their dismay that the owners of the site were effectively thumbing their noses at the order, which could set a precedent for others to follow suit.
A company, Sinnulis Limited managed by Businessman, Ronan Holbrook, bought Rosebank House in 2023.
He also owns the company behind Ryevale House in Leixlip, where an IPAS centre has been operating for almost three years, despite numerous planning violation. His company, Me Libérer Limited, has received over €7.3 million since spring 2023, with two other companies he owns or directs receiving an additional €7 million since late last year for managing IPAS centres at various locations.