Dublin City Council Looking to Take Back Possession of The Iveagh Markets – Shane Adlum reports on the DCC’s plan to take control of the beleaguered local icon
The long running saga of the redevelopment of The Iveagh Markets has taken another twist as Dublin City Council announce plans to repossess the historic building in The Liberties.
Located on Francis Street the Iveagh Markets was built in 1890 by the Iveagh Trust. It once was filled with traders selling vegetables, fish and clothes but it has been left idle for over two decades. It operated right up until the 1990’s, since then the building has fallen into disrepair. In September the Council commissioned a report that stated it would cost more than €13 million to carry out the “essential structural repairs” needed on the building.
In 1997 businessman Martin Keane agreed a long-term leasehold with the council for The Iveagh Markets. He was granted planning permission in 2007 but no work was ever done and the building has laid idle ever since. That planning permission subsequently lapsed in 2017. In December 2019, Keane submitted new plans for the redevelopment of the markets but the council have made it clear that they will not support those plans, nor were they convinced by his documentation on how the project would be financed or completed on time.
Mr Keane has been contacted by the DCC notifying him of their intention to terminate all communication with him and they are now in the process of taking the necessary steps to repossess the building from him.
Repossessing the property from Keane won’t be an easy task as it is believed he will fight to keep hold of the building and is willing to use his substantial financial resources in any legal action taken against him over the Iveagh Markets.
