Preservation works are set to commence on the roof of the decaying Iveagh Markets in the Liberties after years of decay.
The indoor market in the Edwardian-style building first opened in 1906, but it was closed in the 1990s after becoming rundown. The site has become derelict since then, despite a number of attempts to redevelop it as a food market complex.
There has been strong local support to restore the Francis Street building and a security team currently monitors the site. To the frustration of locals, the market has been left empty for around 20 years, and is now the centre of a number of legal cases.
Read more: Woman says she wants to 'get out of Dublin' after rushing to aid stab victim
But Dublin City Council's Deputy Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare issued a memo to Councillors yesterday informing them works on the roof are set to begin after the mediation process came to end with no conclusion.
The memo read: "Arising from the conclusion of the without prejudice discussions without resolution, the City Council executive has now directed the immediate commencement of the process which shall enable the City Council carry out preservation works to the roof of the Market Building, a protected structure, and as far as possible preserve it so that it is not likely to cause a danger to any person or property."
The works will begin despite a number of ongoing legal claims and counter claims in the Commercial Court and the High Court. The preservation works are estimated to cost €12 million and the Council will seek funding from Government to cover the cost as DCC did not budget for the works.
The memo added: "Given the very high estimated costs of the required works to the roof and the fact that there is no provision in the City Council’s 'Capital Programme 2023-2025' to cover these costs, The City Council will seek State funding for the project."
In 1997, hotelier Martin Keane secured a 500-year lease on the market with a €2 million tender with the aim of redeveloping the site into a food market complex with an adjacent restaurants, hotel and music venue.
Mr Keane was granted planning for the redevelopment in 2007 but works failed to commence and the planning was renewed in 2012. After works failed to commence again, DCC announced they would repossess the market in 2018.
Green Party Councillor Michael Pidgeon said it is "utterly maddening" that it has taken so long for the preservation works to commence. He said: "We're not anywhere near the stage of planning for a future use, as the €12 million is simply to fix the roof and secure the structure.
"It would need huge amounts of work to bring it to a situation where it's reopened - it's a very different project compared to the Fruit and Veg Market on the northside."
He added: "It's utterly maddening that the building has been left to rot like this. I think we need now to fight this vigorously in the courts to secure the market, hopefully in public hands.
"At this stage, I think the further Martin Keane is from this whole thing, the better. I visited the market a few weeks ago, and it is gut wrenching to see its condition and how great the place could be."
Read next:
Conor McGregor 'hit by a car while cycling - then got a lift home with driver'
Dee Devlin shows support for Conor McGregor after Spain attack claim
Barry Keoghan leaves touching message for 'little Barry' after Oscar nomination
Damien Dempsey holds back tears on Tommy Tiernan as fans gush support
To get the latest news to your inbox, sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter.
