A 577 sq/m (6,220 sq ft) house in Meath at the centre of a 20-year long legal battle is expected to be demolished by the end of the week.
The house in Bohermeen, Co Meath, was built in 2006 without planning permission.
Its owner, Chris Murray (also known as Michael Chris Murray) had previously been refused permission to build a house that was proposed to be half the size.
There have been numerous legal challenges between Mr Murray and Rose Murray, and Meath County Council before the High Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal over the last two decades.
On Monday, a High Court order was issued in relation to the house. Meath County Council said it took possession of the house on foot of the order.
The council said that the court directed that An Garda Síochána assist the council in taking possession of the property, which was then "secured".
Personal belongings are being removed from the Murray family house at Bohermeen in Meath, which is expected to be demolished on foot of a High Court order by the end of the week @rtenews pic.twitter.com/Hv3SaAb1wM
— Laura Hogan (@LauraHoganTV) March 19, 2026
Personal belongings of the Murray family are being removed from the house this morning.
In an update, Meath County Council said that it engaged with family and community representatives on site, with the assistance of gardaí, to facilitate the removal of personal belongings and household items, in line with the court's direction.
The Council said it acknowledges the cooperation of those involved in the process.
Last August, a Court of Appeal judgment delivered by Mr Justice Senan Allen, said the Murrays "well knew" they needed planning permission for the house, but "hoped that they would get away with it".
That court dismissed their appeal to set aside previous High Court and Supreme Court judgments against them.
The Court of Appeal said that after being refused planning initially, they were "undaunted, and in flagrant and wilful breach of the planning laws", they "built their house anyway".
"Not only that, they built a house twice the size of the house for which permission had been refused," it said.
In June 2006, a planning application was refused for a 283 sq/m (3,045 sq ft) house on the four-acre site.
In February 2007, a member of the public complained to Meath County Council that a large house had been built at Faughan Hill.
The following month, the council wrote to the Murrays stating there was no planning permission and requiring the demolition of the structure and restoration of the land to its original condition.
The council later initiated High Court proceedings in July 2007, applying for an order to direct the removal of the unauthorised structure.
This was the beginning of a long-running legal saga.
In 2010, the High Court made the orders sought by the council, but there was a stay of execution for two years on the basis it would be complied with.
Further appeals and proceedings followed, with more stays granted.
Another High Court order made in September 2020 extended the stay for a further two years and that the council would then have possession of the property for the purpose of carrying out demolition works.
It was made on the Murrays' undertaking to vacate the property before 24 September 2022.
In proceedings started two days before they were due to vacate the property, the Murrays sought to set aside judgments and orders of the High Court and Supreme Court.
The High Court ruled against the Murrays.
Last August, the Court of Appeal dismissed their action on all grounds and affirmed the orders of the High Court.
