Appeals have been made in Co Tipperary for protection and preservation works to be carried out on an 18th century period county house that is being damaged by the actions of thieves and vandals.
Knocklofty House is situated near Clonmel and previously operated as a hotel.
Recently, pictures emerged online of the deteriorating state of the internal rooms of the property.
The once spacious and finely decorated interior is now seen in a state of disrepair. Copper fittings have reportedly been removed, while lead roofing has also been removed.
Aerial pictures show the lead stripped and the roof exposed leading to fears of further damage to the interior due to water ingress.
The house was built in the late 18th century for the Earl of Donoughmore.
In 1974 the house became the focus in national attention when Lord and Lady Donoughmore were kidnapped by an IRA gang as part of a ransom plan. They were subsequently released in the Phoenix Park in Dublin after being held captive for five days.
The property is listed on Tipperary County Council's Record of Protected Structures.
The pictures of the current state of the house have caused anger and dismay in the area and a campaign group has been set up to stop any further damage to the historic house.
The issue has been raised in the Seanad by local Senator Garret Ahern who has invited the Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan to visit the site. Senator Ahern has called for some state agency to act to preserve the building.
The issue was raised at a meeting of Tipperary County Council this week. Local Councillor Mairín McGrath, who is one of the local politicians supporting the campaign group, said that it is a great shame that the historic building is falling into such a state of disrepair.
"I was shocked to see the pictures online of the interior of the building. This house was a huge part of life for the people of Clonmel and Tipperary and from around the country for decades, and to see what is happening now is a great shame," she said.
She has requested that Tipperary County Council would take immediate action to save the historical building.
In its response, Tipperary County Council said that it is currently assessing the situation with Knocklofty House and would engage with the owners to come to a satisfactory resolution with regard to the protection of the built heritage of the county.
It added that the enforcement officer had carried out a site inspection and that a report with recommendations would be prepared for the Authority.
