A developer who's long promised to open a Covent Garden style market in Dublin has been told he's running out of time.
Martin Keane got permission to redevelop the old Iveagh Markets on Francis Street in 2007.
However a long archaeological dig, followed by the collapse of the economy, meant work never began.
Last year, Dublin City Council moved to repossess the building.
Officials expressed frustration that the site had been vacant for so long.
Martin Keane, who owns a pub and hotel in Temple Bar, has now presented fresh plans for the space.
The developer wants to build two hotels and hostel on an adjoining site, but needs permission.
I've been speaking to developer Martin Keane about his new proposal for an Iveagh Market Quarter in Dublin 8, which would involve building two hotels and a hostel beside the old market building. Listen back to @PatKennyNT here: https://t.co/btHzTqRgn0 #IveaghMarkets #pknt pic.twitter.com/vhFm9QYWDp
— Aideen Finnegan (@AideenFinnegan) March 6, 2019
Green Party Councillor, Ciaran Cuffe, feels Dublin City Council has heard it all before:
He said, should permission be granted, he would want "construction to start certainly a very short time after".
Dublin City Council would not be drawn on whether it is prepared to award planning permission.
It said the "future use of the building can only be determined when the legal issues [relating to ownership] are resolved."
Mr. Keane is now seeking a pre-planning consultation with Dublin City Council.
