Destruction of the Old Methodist Church on Jones' Road is Deliberate Act of Vandalism

Statement by Cllr Emer Costello & Joe Costello TD

The destruction of the old Methodist Church on Jones’ Road, Dublin 3 was a scandalous act of vandalism.
It was demolished at 6.00 a.m. in 15 October by a “teleporter” or giant forklift despite the fact that Dublin City Council had placed an enforcement order on the building last night, directing that no further demolition work take place. Dublin City Council officials have confirmed to us that the Forklift was not on the site the previous night but was there at 6.00 a.m the following morning. We understand that the party which hired the forklift has been identifed and and Dublin City Council and the Gardai will be pursuing a definite line of enquiry in this regard.
Local residents had been extremely vigilant in contacting planning enforcement and the Gardai to prevent the destruction of the Church last night and are aghast that such an act of destruction could be perpetuated in their community in the early hours of the morning.
According to eye-witnesses the driver of the forklift ran away when the Gardai approached the church this morning. The Gardai will forward a report of the incident to the Chief Superintendent of Store Street.
It was thought that this type of deliberate vandalism of our architectural heritage had ended long ago.
The Church has now been all but destroyed. Dublin City Council have taken responsibility for securing the building and assure us that they will do their best to ensure that this work takes place without any further destruction or demolition.

The culprits must be pursued through the courts for this wanton and illegal act of vandalism. The maximum possible penalties should be imposed in this case, including a prison sentence and part of the sanction should be to require the guilty party to reconstruct the Church brick by brick.