Kildare County Council have served an enforcement letter to a developer retained by the Department of Integration to house refugees in Leixlip.
Historic Ryevale House, a protected structure, has been accommodating 80 international protection applicants since March. The house dates back to the 18th century and was home to famous architect Sam Stephenson. The property was sold for a reported €1.6million in December 2022 to companies under the control of businessman Ronan Mallon.
Kildare County Council has written to a builder working on the property on behalf of Mr Mallon's Coldec Properties company and informed them that changing the purpose of the building from a private residency to a dwelling for people seeking international protection is an “unauthorised development”.
