The planning enforcement case involving New Inn Man Sean Meehan is back before Cashel District Court this morning at 10.30am. Mr Meehan is currently out on bail after failing to attend a court hearing on February 20th – at the time Mr Meehan (66) was informed that he did have to attend and in his absence the court issued a warrant for his arrest.
In 2022 Mr Meehan pleaded guilty to breaching the planning laws in respect of a home he has provided for himself on land he owns near New Inn. A judge ordered that the site be cleared unless Mr Meehan can secure planning permission. The home consists of a mobile home surrounded by “log cabin” effect cladding to provide extra warmth and a deck area around the home. Mr Meehan has failed in applications for retention permission and full planning permission and failed in an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
On February 18th he commenced an application to the High Court for a Judicial Review of the An Bord Pleanála refusal – this case has yet to be heard. Mr Meehan is currently fundraising for his legal expenses. Tipperary county Council began the enforcement proceedings after receiving a complaint from a member of the public. Mr Meehan hopes that his case may help to change planning laws to help others unable to find housing to get permission for modular type structures.
