Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that the destruction of the Moore Street 1916 battle ground site will not be accepted and that the government must intervene to prevent it from happening.

Responding to the decision of An Bórd Pleanála to uphold planning permission granted to Hammerson for Moore Street, Ms McDonald said that Sinn Féin is firmly committed to delivering the vision for Moore Street as set out by the Moore Street Preservation Trust.

Ms McDonald added that if the government did not intervene, it would represent an unforgivable squandering of a golden opportunity to reimagine one of the most important cultural and historical sites in the state.

Teachta McDonald said:

“The destruction and neglect of Moore Street will not be accepted and cannot be allowed to continue.

“Today’s decision by An Bórd Pleanála to uphold the Hammerson plan for Moore Street is deeply disappointing.

“But the battle to save, reimagine and regenerate one of Ireland’s most important cultural and historical sites does not stop here.

“Sinn Féin stands with the relatives of 1916 and the Moore Street Preservation Trust in opposition to Hammerson’s plan.

“The government now has a choice to make. They have the power to intervene and preserve this site, and that is what they must do.

“Failure to do so would represent an unforgivable squandering of a golden opportunity. We only have one shot at getting this right.

“Heritage and culture must be at the heart of the future of Moore Street, instead of the Hamerson plans, which are focused on commercial gain and private profit.

“This is an area that has been abandoned and left to rot. It is crying out for the right investment and care it deserves – the kind of attention that would benefit all who inhabit our capital city as well as all those who visit or pass through it.

“That is why Sinn Féin is firmly committed to delivering the vision for Moore Street as set out by the Moore Street Preservation Trust.

“That is the appropriate way to honour and protect our heritage and traditions, to remember the heroes of 1916, and bring the inspiring history of this area back to the public.”