Latest news with #OPW
The Journal
7 hours ago
- The Journal
Three arrested for €400,000 worth of vandalism at OPW site near Castletown House
THREE PEOPLE HAVE been arrested in connection with vandalism worth an estimated €400,000 at an Office of Public Works (OPW) site used by staff at Castletown House last month. The arrests were made this morning following a search operation conducted by gardaí at a number of homes in Celbridge, Co Kildare, located close to Castletown House estate. Two teenagers and a man in his 30s were detained by gardaí shortly after the search. Gardaí say the arrests relate to several separate incidents of criminal damage that occurred between 22 April and 4 May at Donaghcumper House. The property is used as a staging site for transporting OPW staff to nearby Castletown House, a historic estate at the centre of an 21-month controversy – as residents have opposed the OPW's proposals to use a narrow pedestrian walkway for heavy vehicles . Advertisement Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Vehicles and facilities used by the OPW were targeted over the May Bank Holiday weekend at the site . Four OPW and contractor vehicles were overturned, allegedly using a teleporter which was later dumped in the River Liffey, while outbuildings and staff welfare units were set on fire and four CCTV towers were disabled after their wiring was cut. OPW OPW Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, described it as 'shocking and unacceptable' in a statement last month. Save Castletown Gate Protectors, a local group who have maintained a presence at the entrance to Castletown House in protest against the OPW for 18 months, similarly condemned the incident. The estimated cost of the damage was in the region of €400,000. The three are being held at garda stations in Kildare. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Three men arrested following €400,000 worth of damage at Castletown House in Co Kildare
They were arrested by gardaí attached to the Crime Hub in Kildare North following a search operation carried out this morning. The damage was caused to property during a number of separate incidents between April 22 and May 4 of this year. Property and vehicles belonging to the Office of Public Works (OPW) parked on the grounds were badly damaged, with several vehicles being turned over. CCTV cameras were also put out of action with wires cut. One adult in his 30s, and two juveniles are currently being detained at Garda stations in Kildare as investigations are ongoing. 'Gardaí attached to the Crime Hub, Kildare North have arrested three individuals this morning Friday, June 20 following a search operation that took place at a number of residential properties in Kildare,' a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said. 'The three arrests relate to a number of separate incidents of criminal damage that was caused to property between the dates of April 22 to May 4. 'The estimated cost of the damage is believed to be in the region of €400,000. 'The three males, one adult male aged in his 30s and two juveniles, are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Garda stations in the Kildare Division.'
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
Three arrested over criminal damage at Castletown House
Gardaí have arrested a man and two juveniles in Kildare in connection with criminal damage at Castletown House. The three males were arrested on Friday morning by gardaí attached to Kildare North. The arrests took place following a search operation at a number of residential properties in Kildare. The three arrests relate to a number of separate incidents of criminal damage at Castletown House between April 22nd to May 4th, 2025 . READ MORE Over the May bank holiday weekend, vandals entered a temporary Office of Public Works (OPW) depot at Donaghcumper House, overlooking the river Liffey in Celbridge, Co Kildare . They first cut the wires to the house's CCTV units, then overturned four vehicles and dumped a cherrypicker into the river. 'The estimated cost of the damage is believed to be in the region of €400,000," a Garda spokesperson said on Friday. Donaghcumper House was bought by Kildare County Council earlier this year with a view to creating a linear park along the Liffey, but it was bolted up and out of bounds to the public last week, with security at the gate. The OPW was using it as a temporary depot in advance of the proposed reopening later this month of Castletown House, which has been at the centre of a major dispute over right-of-way access. The three males, one adult male aged in his 30s and two juveniles, are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda stations in Kildare.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
OPW has spent €2.5m maintaining vacant properties in past five years
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has spent €2.5 million maintaining vacant properties over the past five-and-a-half years, new figures have revealed. The agency owns a total of 73 vacant properties, including 19 former Garda stations that have remained empty for more than a decade, and two decentralisation sites that have been vacant since 2007. Advertisement A total of €2.5 million has been spent maintaining these sites and buildings since the beginning of 2020. The most expensive vacant property to maintain was the former debtors' prison on Halston Street in Dublin, which has cost the OPW just over €1.1 million during that period. The agency had to seek a High Court order to evict squatters who had occupied the disused building in 2016 with the stated aim of converting it into a community art space. The OPW said the 18th century building was unsafe. Another €314,810 was spent on a vacant site on Hawkins Street in Dublin between 2020 and 2022. No further maintenance costs have been incurred in respect of this property since then. Advertisement The former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum has cost the OPW €259,399 to maintain since it was vacated following the transfer of the National Forensic Mental Health Services to Portrane at the end of 2022. Almost €100,000 has been spent maintaining a former Garda station in Kilfinane, Co Limerick since 2020. The five-bedroom property was formerly a fever hospital and was closed as a Garda station in 2013. The 73 vacant properties include 18 former Coast Guard premises, seven former Customs properties, two former Met station sites and buildings, and two former Garda residences. It also includes two sites in Portlaoise and Waterford that were acquired as part of the ill-fated decentralisation plan in 2003, which envisaged the relocation of 10,000 jobs to 53 locations across 25 counties. Advertisement Details of the expenditure on the maintenance of vacant OPW properties were provided to Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly by Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran in response to a parliamentary question. Mr Moran said there was a 'general approach' by the agency to endeavour to maintain properties in their current condition pending decisions on their future use. 'The OPW, like other property holding State bodies, has engaged with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and with the relevant local authorities to identify vacant properties that may be suitable for housing,' he said. 'It should be noted, however, that many of the properties managed by the OPW are commercial buildings, such as Garda stations, warehouses or office buildings that in most cases are not suitable for residential use.' The minister added that more than 50 properties had been transferred by the OPW to local authorities for housing and alternative use over the past five years.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Over 180,000 people to descend on Phoenix Park for US country sensation's gigs
Zach Bryan's trio of gigs will be the first large-scale concert in the Dublin city centre park since Ed Sheeran's 2018 performance. The Oklahoma-born Grammy-winner (29), who's due to fly in tomorrow, will take to the stage this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to perform to 180,000 fans for his sold-out gigs. As proof of what a difference two years makes, the last time he performed in Dublin was to a crowd of 1,500 in the Helix in April 2023. A ring of steel is currently being erected around the site as the Phoenix Park braces itself for its first large-scale concert since Ed Sheeran's 2018 performance. "He's the real deal. He's not country per se but he's very Springsteen. He's a great storyteller and a very dynamic performer - he has a lot of charisma," said Aiken. Deer in front of the Papal Cross in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Photo: Marc O'Sullivan "When you have 160,000 people here, they're going to know the words to every song; it's going to be a very unique, special atmosphere." Most of his fans will be aged between 18-35 but only 10pc of his tickets were bought in Dublin as he has a huge following outside the capital city. "Normally for a big concert, say for Springsteen in Croke Park, 50pc of our audience were from the greater Dublin area. For this, it's about 10pc," he said. "There's a big crowd coming from the North and Donegal, Mayo. There's a big crowd flying in from the States. These big events, more and more, attract overseas visitors. People will like the adventure of coming to a different place." Asked to put a figure on the value of the trio of gigs, estimated to be many millions of euros, Mr Aiken said he "hadn't a clue." "It's worth a lot. These big events create - not to be corny - but such happiness. People love these types of things, people who love music and it creates a great atmosphere and hopefully there will be a great atmosphere around town. For many kids, this could be the first big concert they've attended. Zach, to them, is like our Bruce Springsteen and they like the songs. The songs are about heart-break and redemption and hope and loss." Zach Bryan will perform in Dublin. Photo: Getty News in 90 Seconds - June 17 The weather forecast for this weekend couldn't be better, with high temperatures and sunny spells in store for concert goers. More details of the trio of gigs were unveiled at a press conference hosted this morning by the OPW's Margaret Gormley, Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty and Sue Carton, Aiken Promotions event controller. Superintendent McNutly said they had a "robust policing plan in place" in order to keep everyone safe and ensure they had an enjoyable experience. People are encouraged to use public transport. Given that most attendees will be using the Park Gate entrance, they should leave at least 45 minutes to walk to the concert site. Opening acts will be Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann and gates will open at 5pm. No early queuing will be permitted. For the first time, there will be a designated neuro-divergent area, which requires a special ticket. There will also be an alcohol free/family area for those looking for a quieter experience. The chart-topper, who has amassed more than 21bn streams to date, recently dueted with Bruce Springsteen and the pair shared the cover of 'Rolling Stone.' Asked about Bryan's stellar success, Aiken said it was an "incredible journey." "He's come from nowhere. A number of years ago, he was in the Navy, he put a song up on YouTube and the next thing is, he's selling out 1,000 tickets in Dallas or somewhere. He's grown from there," he said.
