Ireland Couple in Co Meath demolition case swear not to interfere with works at High Court
Chris Murray and Rose Murray, whose illegally built home at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath, was demolished, gave sworn undertakings at the High Court on 23 March 2026 not to interfere with further works to restore the site to agricultural land, as a condition of the judge discharging an attachment order under which they had been arrested outside the Four Courts to answer a March 9 contempt finding.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court16 Mar
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports21 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA house built without planning permission in Co Meath was seized from its owners, ending a 20-year legal saga. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMeath County Council, assisted by gardaí, took control of the property on Monday following court proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- whatChris and Rose Murray mounted five futile retention bids and three failed appeals to keep the home intact. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe home is 588 sq m (6,220 sq ft). (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe couple was given a year to vacate the property. (irishtimes.com)
- whatContempt proceedings were settled on the basis the Murrays would vacate within two years to allow the council to demolish the house. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe couple built a house twice the size of the house for which permission was refused. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe house was built 20 years ago without planning permission (irishtimes.com)
- whatMeath County Council refused planning permission in June 2006 for a house half the size (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe subcontractor and security firm ceased work at the site following the alleged threats (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe illegally built house was at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath (irishtimes.com)
- whenIn November 2025 the Supreme Court rejected the couple's application for a further hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- whenMeath County Council took a case against the couple in 2007 under Section 160 of the Planning Act. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAn appeal by the Murrays was dismissed in 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenA haulage subcontractor received a phone call on 20 March 2026 at 1.30pm from a man with a Northern accent (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda investigation was opened into alleged threats made by unidentified third parties to a subcontractor and a security firm (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNo written complaints were made to the Gardaí concerning the threats (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe council gained access to the property on foot of a court order on 16 March 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court had ruled the house should be demolished and the site restored to agricultural use (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge ordered speedy demolition the previous week (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge adjourned the Murrays' separate applications denying contempt of the 2020 undertakings (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Mar2026‘I want the mess gone’: Couple in Co Meath demolition case swear not to interfere with works
Reports the couple's High Court appearance where they gave sworn undertakings, the judge discharged the attachment order, adjourned their separate contempt applications, and heard evidence of threats made to a subcontractor and security firm by unidentified callers.
accused, Chris Murray, male, named, irish (judged from name)Chris Murrayaccused, Rose Murray, female, named, irish (judged from name)Rose Murray - 16 Mar2026Meath home built without planning permission is seized from owners, ending 20 year legal saga
Reports the seizure of the property on 16 March 2026 and provides a detailed history of the 20-year legal saga, including the Court of Appeal judgment by Judge Senan Allen, the 2007 Section 160 proceedings, the 2024 High Court striking out of the Murrays' case, and the Supreme Court's November rejection of their further appeal.
suspect, Chris Murray, male, named, irish (judged from name)Chris Murraysuspect, Rose Murray, female, named, irish (judged from name)Rose Murray