Planning breaches described as “significant” have been found at a Tipperary Hotel which has found itself at the centre of a storm over a contract to house 277 international protection applicants.
Dundrum House Hotel, a 300-year-old luxury hotel in the Tipperary countryside popular with golfers, has been at the centre of controversy since last summer over its decision to house IPAS applicants.
It is among three hotels in Tipperary which has been turned into IPAS accommodation – alongside Hearns Hotel in Clonmel and Racket Hall in Roscrea – with local TD Mattie McGrath previously accusing the Government of failing to meet with locals. Last year, he highlighted that Dundrum is a village of just 200 people, despite 286 IPAS applicants being housed there.
Tipp MidWest Radio reports that a warning letter to the operator of Dundrum House Hotel was issued by Tipperary County Council’s planning office, with the correspondence listing six different issues “that the Council considers to be unauthorised development.”
The Council is giving the operator 4 weeks to respond to the issues raised, according to the local broadcaster. It also reports that: “It is possible that the Council could take enforcement action that might require the cessation, demolition or discontinuance of the development,” and that the operator could also face potential fines.
It is understood that the issues “relate to construction works on the foundation of the former ballroom, the installation of a new wastewater treatment system, construction of a maintenance building, internal roads, a driving range, ball stop nets, parking spaces and the installation of a new ceiling in one of the bedrooms,” according to Tip MidWest.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr McGrath called on the Minister for Integration to “urgently withdraw” the two-year contract for IPAS Accommodation at Dundrum House Hotel following the breaches.
Deputy McGrath said: “A warning letter has been issued by Tipperary County Council to Brogan Capital Ventures Ltd in respect of multiple planning breaches found at Dundrum House Hotel. Some of the alleged unauthorised developments at the hotel include the construction of a roofed structure on the foundation of the former ballroom, construction of a maintenance building in the carpark, construction of new internal access roads and provision of a new waste water treatment system and ancillary works among others.
“Following the announcement of a Contract having been signed last week, serious questions have been raised in relation to the manner in which such a contract could be signed when there are serious matters relating to Dundrum House Hotel before the courts. There are also serious concerns in relation to the legitimacy of the company with whom the Department have entered into a contract with and I have already put these questions to the Minister for Integration and await a reply.”
The TD added: “I have also referred the matter to the Comptroller and Auditor General and to the Office of Government Procurement and I have sought an investigation into the manner in which this contract has been entered into.
“The news now that Tipperary County Council has issued a Warning letter in respect of Unauthorised Developments at Dundrum House Hotel brings this contract further into dispute and we cannot have a Government Department entering into a contract in a respect of a property where there are numerous planning breaches.
“I have brought this matter to the urgent attention of the Minister for Integration and we need answers. There must be transparency and respect for the laws of the land including planning laws and we cannot stand over a Government department entering into a contract when there are such serious outstanding matters.”
Last year, Deputy McGrath said that local people in the Tipperary village had been treated “like second-class citizens” by the Government.
“They are being treated like second-class citizens. They are not being helped. A force of 200 Gardaí was sent down one morning, at a cost of €26,000. It was like the siege of Dundrum. That is not the way to treat ordinary people. I remind the Minister that we live in a democracy,” Deputy McGrath said last September.
Dundrum Heritage Group, which wants the 300-year-old heritage property to be restored and used as a Country House Hotel, said that “urgent” action was needed over the “critical infrastructure failure” highlighted by the County Council.
“Following complaints from Dundrum Heritage Group, Tipperary County Council has confirmed that the sewerage system at Dundrum House Hotel is defective and not fit for purpose,” they said.
“A formal warning has been issued to Brogan Capital Ventures Ltd., ordering immediate remedial or full replacement works.
“The Department of Children, Disability and Equality announced on April 15th plans to increase occupancy at the site from just over 100 to 277 residents. This decision has sparked concern among locals, who fear the failing infrastructure poses serious environmental and health risks,” the group added.
“Dundrum Heritage Group is now calling for the immediate cancellation of all contracts at the site. The group maintains that Dundrum House Hotel, a 300-year-old heritage property, should be restored and is best utilised as a country house hotel.”
Earlier this month, Gript’s Matt Treacy detailed the strong local opposition to news that an IPAS centre holding 277 people is to go ahead in the tiny village.
Independent Councillor Liam Browne told Gript that he has huge concerns not only about the impact that this will have on the community, but on the awarding of the contract.
Councillor Browne said that he had told both Council officials and Department representatives of the danger of even small communities being “ghettoized” by “short sighted decision making at national level.”
The Department of Integration has been contacted for comment and an update will be provided in due course.
UPDATE: A spokesperson for the Department of Integration said:
“The Department has commenced a contract to provide international protection accommodation at Dundrum House in Co. Tipperary. The accommodation centre at Dundrum House Hotel, Co Tipperary has provided accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine since 2022, at a peak capacity of over 270 people. It has also been providing accommodating for just over 50 international protection applicants for the past nine months.
“The centre will provide accommodation to up to 277 people in families seeking refuge in Ireland. This includes a number of people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection due to the war in Ukraine and who were also already being accommodated at the property.
“In all instances where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, the onus is on the provider to ensure all activities at the property are within legal limits, including planning and building compliance.
“Part of the appraisal process for a new contract includes review of the property’s services and compliance, in conjunction with the Local Authority where relevant. Any matters relating to fire, building or planning regulations remain between the Local Authority and the provider.
“The Department understands that the Local Authority is in contact with the property in relation to planning matters, and that these matters are not related to the parts of the site contracted to the Department.
“Any action that may be required as a result of the Local Authority’s engagement at the property will be addressed as relevant.”