A developer is facing jail over allegedly failing to obey court orders to carry out works at an unfinished housing estate in Co Wicklow. The estate at Shillelagh, Coolattin, has been the subject of complaints to Wicklow County Council since 2008.
Judge Gerard Griffin made an order last May to the effect that Thomas Doyle, of Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, would be jailed for a week unless he completed by July 15th lighting and other works at the development of 20 houses occupied since 2005.
The council had brought proceedings against Mr Doyle, his estranged wife Pauline and their company, O Dubhaill Developments Ltd (in receivership) over alleged failure to complete the development in accordance with planning conditions.
Access road
Among a series of claims, it was alleged lighting standard poles and fire hydrants were not erected, gullies were blocked and the access road was not surfaced.
At Wicklow Circuit Court on May 8th, the council secured an order for attachment and committal of Mr Doyle to jail for a week after Judge Griffin found he failed to carry out certain works as required.
The judge put a stay on the order on condition Mr Doyle carried out those works by July 15th.
Mr Doyle, who represented himself at the May court hearing, had said he had insufficient funds to rectify all the matters in question but would provide operable lighting and fire hydrants and some landscaping as required under the stay.
The council has claimed there was a €8.5 million turnover from the Coolattin development and also said an eight-bedroom property in which Mrs Doyle is living at Rathurtin, Clonroche, had been put up for sale. That 5,300 sq ft property on 4½ acres was described on the daft.ie website as “a country mansion fit for a king”.
Yesterday, Paul Murray SC, for the council, after outlining the background, told the judge he was instructed that all the necessary works have not been completed and the council had told Mr Doyle it would move yesterday to re-enter the case.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Doyle had sent a text message to the council saying he could not attend court as he had been involved in a road accident, counsel said. The council was seeking full details of the road accident and, in all the circumstances, wanted the matter adjourned, Mr Murray said.
Judge Griffin directed Mr Doyle to provide reports, including medical reports, related to the road accident and listed the matter for October 2nd.
