A property developer who took exception to a building inspector's manner was yesterday ordered to open up his premises for inspection.
Mr Tony Olin, director of Redhurst Properties, which built a shopping and office development at Lower Kimmage Road, Dublin, denied he had failed to comply with a notice requiring him to give full access to the premises.
Dublin District Court heard that a complaint was made to the city council that minor changes had been made to the building which were not in compliance with the planning permission. An enforcement officer, Mr Éamonn Higgins, arranged to inspect the building.
When he arrived last July, however, Mr Olin had gone away on holiday. One of his tenants showed him around but he did not have full access to the building.
Mr Olin told the court Mr Higgins was rude, and he had made a formal complaint to his superiors.
Judge Seán MacBride said Mr Olin seemed to think he was the city manager, the chief planner and personnel officer all rolled into one. He was not going to allow his court to be used for attacking "a decent public official carrying out his duty". He ordered Mr Olin to open up the building for inspection and to pay €700 in costs and witness expenses.