High Court ruling sparks new pressure to end Dundrum House Hotel IPAS accommodation deal

The government is facing fresh pressure to cancel its IPAS accommodation contract for Dundrum House Hotel after the High Court on Monday quashed the planning exemption that underpinned the arrangement.

Tipperary County Council had granted the exemption following a Section 5 request under the Planning and Development Act 2000, a procedure used to determine the planning status of a proposed development. The court’s decision has now nullified that certificate, removing the legal foundation for the current use of the hotel.

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Independent TD Mattie McGrath said the ruling validates concerns raised by residents for months. “This ruling confirms what local communities have been saying for months. The planning process was flawed, and the certificate should never have been issued,” he said.

He argued that the government must now act. “The government cannot ignore the court’s findings. Continuing with this contract would be a gross insult to the people of Dundrum and surrounding areas,” he stated. 

According to Deputy McGrath, the judgment means the accommodation arrangement can no longer stand. He is urging ministers to follow the approach taken in other parts of the country where similar contracts were withdrawn after planning compliance issues emerged.

“We have seen contracts rescinded elsewhere when compliance could not be guaranteed. The same must happen here and I have written to the Minister for Justice calling for immediate action,” he said.

The Tipperary TD has consistently opposed the use of Dundrum House Hotel for IPAS accommodation. He again criticised the manner in which the site was chosen. “This facility should never have been earmarked for this purpose without full transparency and proper planning safeguards,” he said.

He added that confidence in the planning system has been damaged. “It’s time to end this arrangement and restore confidence in the planning system. This Government simply cannot stand over operators receiving millions in state contracts while operating outside of the law.”

Deputy McGrath said the controversy highlights the need for stronger oversight of IPAS decision making. He wants a full review of how such contracts are awarded.

“Communities deserve respect, not decisions made behind closed doors. The government must act now cancel the contract and ensure this never happens again,” he said.

The judgment also noted that the exemption was invalid due to the use of an unauthorised wastewater treatment system. The ruling is being welcomed by local groups and several public representatives.

Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy said the implications are clear for the future of the site. “The decision by the High Court to formally quash the section 5 declaration for Dundrum House Hotel is a decisive and welcome development.

It confirms that the use of the site under the current IPAS arrangement has no legal or planning basis. Given this ruling, the department of justice must move now immediately to wind down and terminate this contract.”

Taken together, the court decision and the growing political response have intensified pressure on the government to reassess its approach to IPAS placements.

With the legal footing removed and the operation of an unauthorised wastewater system confirmed, ministers now face mounting calls to cancel the contract and to review how similar decisions are made in the future.

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