The High Court yesterday granted an application allowing the Chester Beatty library move from its present address to new premises at Dublin Castle. Mr Justice Costello approved in principle the draft scheme by the library trustees to move the library's contents from its current premises on Shrewsbury Road, Dublin, to a new premises in Dublin Castle.
The judge said he believed the move was in the interest of the charity.
He said he would sign the scheme when it was fully realised. He could not say when the scheme would come into effect but, from the date it was signed, the trustees would have liberty to sell the library premises or enter into a lease arrangement.
During yesterday's hearing, Ms Mary Finlay SC, for the library trustees, objected to an application by Mr Stephen McKenzie, who lives next door to the existing library premises on Shrewsbury Road, to be permitted to join with the Attorney General in opposing the move. She said the Attorney General had refused his consent to Mr McKenzie's application.
Mr Justice Costello said he had read all of the papers relating to the matter, including Mr McKenzie's objection. He said he had sympathy with Mr McKenzie but did not believe he should take his views into account.
He said he was sympathetic with the fact that Mr McKenzie had lived beside a nice public museum and might find himself with a different form of body in control, but that was no reason to refuse the application by the library trustees.
The judge said he was "quite certain" that it was in the interests of the charity to make the order sought.
He said the consent of the Attorney General was required before he could hear Mr McKenzie. That consent had not been given so he must refuse to hear Mr McKenzie.