A Dublin butcher caught up in a rates row has claimed he's prepared to do a week in Mountjoy prison.
Stephen Troy, of Troy's Family Butchers, says he is refusing to pay Dublin City Council rates due to the "neglected" state of Moore Street, where his business is based.
Speaking to Dublin Live, he said the condition of the historic city street is impacting his business.
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Mr Troy said: "Independent store traders and market traders on this street have seen a year on year impact on our trade as a result of the neglect. In the meantime, businesses and market traders are expected to pay their rates.
"I was summoned to court on my own. Rather than discharge the rates, I'll happily do a week in Mountjoy because we are absolutely getting nothing for our money. It's an absolute disgrace.
"It is the first time in all the years we have been in business that we have ever gotten a summons over a rates liability to the courts. How they can expect us to discharge them [the rates] with the condition of the street is absolutely incredible."
Dublin City Council has been contacted for comment by Dublin Live.
The company with plans to redevelop the historic Moore Street site previously lodged judicial review proceedings against Dublin City Council after councillors voted to designate six buildings as protected structures.
A number of the buildings included in UK company Hammerson's plan where directly involved in the 1916 Rising. Under the plans, the buildings would be partially or fully demolished.
Hammerson plan to redevelop a 5.5 acre site which stretches from the old Carlton cinema on O'Connell Street to Moore Street, Henry Street and Parnell Street. At the time of the Council vote to designate the buildings, a subsidiary of Hammerson, Dublin Central GP Ltd, complained it was unlawful and improper interference with the planning process.
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