A butcher on Moore Street is prepared to do a week in Mountjoy prison rather than pay Dublin City Council rates.
Stephen Troy, of Troy's Family Butchers, is refusing to pay the local authority rates due to the "neglected" state of Moore Street. Mr Troy told Dublin Live the condition of the historic street is impacting on his business.
He 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.
Read more: Man 'barged past' airline staff to board Dublin Airport plane without passport or boarding pass
"I think we have all come to a consensus now that we are all refusing to pay our rates. In fact, 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." He added: "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 Live has requested a comment from Dublin City Council.
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.
READ NEXT:
Brave Dublin girl, 12, 'still smiling' despite losing four limbs in harrowing Strep A battle
Housing market 'completely altered' as first quarter prices fall for the first time in decade
DART+ fleet unveiled with improved wheelchair access, charging facilities and comfortable seating
Quiz: Can you identify these famous Dublin streets featured in these old pictures
To get the latest news to your inbox, sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter.
