So now, further to the post below, I went yesterday to stand and read the posted notice carefully. Sure enough, it intends that there be changes to the portico and the introduction of ‘new gates and railings’.
For further details, it invited me to go to Dublin 7 or Dublin 2 (Collins’ Barracks or 51 St. Stephen’s Green) to inspect the plans. Well, when you’re standing in front of the Four Courts on Inns Quay, both of those options seem a bit far away. So I went over and looked at the plans where they don’t tell you you can get them- directly across the river in Dublin City Council’s offices. Straight in the main door, and turn left and the helpful people will fish out the planning application for you.
And, waiting for the folder to be brought up, I took a look at the previous application for the erection of the Tollbooths and Portacabins I discussed on Tuesday. They only have permission for a three year temporary existence. This at least means that there will be another chance to object to submissions being made to keep them, as we can be sure will happen. Something that struck me was that there wasn’t a single objection on the file. When I asked why that might be, I was told that this was a State property, under the control of the Commissioners for Public Works (the OPW, to you and I) and that the Council only had a file there for information. It was the minister, rather than the Council who makes this planning decision. Any objections would be with the file in the OPW offices.
On their arrival, I took the front door plans over to one of the nearby tables and flipped through them. Amongst the most illuminating documents were a letter from Liz Hughes, Architect, of Blackrock addressed to the Principal Officer of Dublin City Council’s Planning Department and dated the 17th February 2005, though the sign on the Portico of the Courts is only dated the 6th May.
Here she gives the reasons for the need to railing off the portico. Interestingly, there is no mention of any security risk. Instead, homeless people sleeping there at night “gives rise to additional litter and occasional graffiti. Because of this use, the portico has to be washed down each morning, and sometimes obstruction occurs in the mornings.”
Now, lets be clear- On the face of it, this is now just a plan to alter the main frontage of one of Ireland’s most admired buildings, as well as symbolically alter the relationship between the Justice system and the citizens it represents, because Courts Service officials don’t like tidying up the porch in the morning.
I’ll post more findings from the Planning application later…