Demolition work is continuing on a house in Co Meath which was at the centre of a 20-year-long legal battle.
Vehicles and machinery could be seen this morning conducting the demolition at the 577 sq/m (6,220 sq ft) house in Bohermeen, which was built in 2006 without planning permission.
A lawyer for Meath County Council confirmed in court yesterday that the council was in the process of demolishing the property.
The council took possession of the house on foot of a High Court order issued on Monday.
An order for the demolition of the property remained in place following a hearing at the High Court yesterday.
There have been numerous legal challenges between owners Chris Murray and Rose Murray, and Meath County Council before the High Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal over the last two decades.
The house in Bohermeen, Co Meath prior to demolition
An order directing the owners of the house to be brought before the High Court for breaching a previous undertaking to vacate the house also remains in place.
Chris Murray and Rose Murray are due before the court on Monday to respond to contempt of court proceedings.
Earlier this week, the court directed that An Garda SÃochána assist the council in taking possession of the property.
On Monday, a security team comprising of 13 vehicles arrived at the house.
Meath County Council said that it engaged with family and community representatives on site, with the assistance of gardaÃ, to facilitate the removal of personal belongings and household items, in line with the court’s direction.
Ms Murray told RTÉ’s News at One programme yesterday that she hoped the house would not be demolished and would instead be given to charity.
She said she had to leave the country and left her family to deal with the situation.
Read more: ‘I hope it’s given to charity’, says owner of Meath house set for demolition