Judge Brian O’Shea imposed a 4-month prison sentence and awarded costs of almost €10,000 against New Inn Man Sean Meehan at Cashel District Court earlier today over breaches of planning law.
The decision has been appealed and Mr Meehan is at his home after his bail bond was increased to €1,000.
Mr Meehan paid the money in Court this morning and now awaits a future court date in the Circuit Court.
The case relates to a planning enforcement case taken by Tipperary County Council in respect of a home Mr Meehan has provided for himself on land he owns near New Inn.
Tipperary County Council commenced the legal action after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.
A separate development has seen six councillors submit an application for a Section 140 Declaration to Tipperary County Council.
The Declaration, if granted, would direct the Council Executive to end all enforcement action in respect of log/wood or other type cabins that are temporary structures and not to commence any new actions.
Cllrs Mairin McGrath, Liam Browne, Seamus Morris, Jim Ryan, Michael Brennan and Niall Dennehy have signed the request which needs the support of fourteen councillors in total to be approved.
Cllr Dennehy says if it was a unanimous vote all the better.
Mr Meehan’s case is likely to be raised at Monday’ plenary meeting of Tipperary county council but it may take a special meeting to consider the Section 140 application.
Cllr Niall Dennehy says if the councillors approve the application it would allow time for promised Government changes to planning law in respect of modular homes to be finalised later this year.
Mr Meehan is also taking a case in the High Court seeking a Judicial Review of An Bord Pleanála’s decision last December to refuse planning permission for his home.
Mr Meehan, aged 66, says he is grateful for the huge public support at the courthouse in Cashel today and says he hopes his efforts will change the planning laws for the benefit of many people seeking to use modular homes.
