Demonstrators occupy Bord na Móna property in an attempt to prevent the demolition of Georgian buildings.
Students from Bolton Street College of Technology and UCD moved into the Bord na Móna owned Georgian houses at 28-32 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin in an attempt to prevent demolition works.
Gerry Tierney speaking for the students says the occupation will continue until a decision is made to reverse the plan to demolish the buildings. The students hope that Bord na Mona will revert to their original planning application in 1972 to retain the buildings and extend at the back of the properties.
Fifty protesters stayed in the buildings last night and there are currently around one hundred people inside. GerryTierney is hopeful that there will be double that number by the end of the day. The protesters have been visited by An Garda Síochána, who were satisfied that no damage was being done to the premises. They also had a visit from the secretary and chairman of Bord na Mona, who asked them to leave.
We said that we weren't prepared to leave.
Lewis Rhatigan, managing director of Bord na Móna while although impressed by the sincerely held views of the students believes that common sense will prevail.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 January 1976. The reporter is Conor McAnally. Part of the film shown here is mute.
