Security and demolition crews take possession of house at centre of 20-year legal battle

Security and demolition contractors have moved on to the site of the house in Bohermeen, in Meath, built without planning permission, and at the centre of a 20-year legal battle to save the family home.

At 11am and less than one hour after friends and relatives of Rose and Chris Murray, who built the 578sqm dwelling on over two acres of land in 2006, removed the last possessions from the house, a 13-vehicle convoy swept up the narrow lane leading to property at the foot of Faughan Hill.

There was a Garda presence at the property, but bar those clearing the final belongings and members of the media, the scene was quiet.

In a statement Meath County Council said it was "acting on foot of High Court orders issued on Monday, 16th March 2026, and Wednesday, 18th March 2026, in relation to the property at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen."

"The Court has directed that the Council, with the assistance of An Garda Síochána, take possession of the property and proceed with demolition in accordance with existing court orders.

"The Council, with the assistance of An Garda Síochána, engaged on site with family and community representatives to facilitate the removal of personal belongings and household items, in line with the Court’s direction. The Council acknowledges the cooperation of those involved in this process.

"As this is an ongoing legal matter, Meath County Council is unable to comment further at this time."

One family supporter helping remove items on a teleporter from the property before the agreed exit time of 10.30am said the situation was "heartbreaking" and criticised Meath County Council for their actions on Monday morning when they moved on a High Court Order and arrived to take possession of the property.

"They came in, told a family member to leave, changed the locks and then asked the family for a list of things they wanted taken from the house. It was just brutal the way they went about it."

Last night, an understanding between senior Meath County Council staff and family representatives was reached where security contractors be kept away to allow belongings be gathered up overnight with family members allowed in under supervision of Gardai to assess the house this morning (Thursday) and ensure remaining possessions were removed.

This came after Meath County Council had returned to the High Court yesterday (Wednesday) to seek a second order to expedite the possession and removal of possessions after security staff on site (since Monday morning) were allegedly subjected to harassment and obstruction.

Locals claim family representatives were prevented from retrieving their belongings including medicines and personal items by security.

Rose Murray, speaking to the Irish Independent on Wednesday, said her family were being treated "worse than the Kinahans".

“My son is 19 years of age and he was at home on his own when a man from the council came in (Monday) and gave him an order and told him to leave the house,” she said.

“You would think we were the Kinahans [the organised crime group]... with the amount of security that was at the house. There were around 30 men in balaclavas watching the place the other night. We are being treated like animals turfed out on the street with nowhere to go. I’m disgusted."

It's understood that an application is being made this afternoon (Thursday 19th March) for a stay on the demolition via an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights under Rule 39 which applies "when a person is facing imminent harm or irreparable damage to their rights that cannot be remedied through normal judicial proceedings".

However, Meath County Council acting under the Wednesday High Court order, were proceeding with securing the site and preparing it for demolition, which under the order of the High Court must commence within the next 48 hours.

It's understood that demolition crews will begin the process of taking the house apart after all utilities to the property are shut off and that there will be a separation and removal of the various building materials.

More to follow...