Senator Michael McDowell today sought an update from Dublin City Council on the protracted case of the Shelbourne Hotel statues which still await reinstatement to their rightful plinths on St Stephen’s Green. The hotel operators were issued an enforcement letter earlier in the summer by Dublin City Council who ruled that the statues should not have been removed from a protected structure without seeking council permission.
Senator McDowell expressed his frustration today at this open ended and toothless directive which effectively requires the hotel to proceed with this reinstatement whenever suits. Senator McDowell has been a leading voice in the campaign to reinstate the “Shelbourne Four” since July and will continue to push for an early resolution with real consequences for non-compliance with planning laws.
Here is the text of the email received from Planning Enforcement today upon his request for an update in this matter:
“I wish to advise you that a submission was received from the Owner’s Architectural advisors on the 23rd of September 2020 indicating their intent to refurbish the statues and reinstate them in due course.
This will take time due to the delicate conservation works required. The City Council will keep in contact with the owners in respect of this matter to ensure that the statues are ultimately reinstated as soon as possible having regard to the refurbishment works required.”
Senator McDowell said that “it is disgraceful that the issue of the reinstatement of the Shelbourne Four has been rumbling on since late July, and that the relevant authority has seen fit to leave the timing of such entirely at the discretion of hotel management.”
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