WORKS AT A protected structure within the grounds of Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin had to be called off after it was discovered the supervision of a conservation architect was needed to complete the renovation. 

The work – to create a pedestrian entrance into an area known as the Stable Yard – was paused by the Irish Prison Service, which says it is now in contact with the appropriate personnel in Dublin City Council.

“The Irish Prison Service commenced works that involved the installation of a prefabrication building to accommodate the expansion of the Irish Prison Service’s Operational Support Group in the old stable yard at the prison site at Arbour Hill,” a spokesperson said. 

It had been intended that the access-way would be created through a stone wall in a complex of former stable and storage buildings, which dates from the 1800s. Cuts had been made to outline the area that would be removed by contractors before the work was halted. 

The spokesperson added that “it was established that the wall was a protected structure and the works immediately ceased”.

“The Irish Prison Service appointed conversational architects and building managers continue to engage with Dublin City Conversational Architect to progress the works in a sustainable manner to achieve acceptable practical solution.”  

An earlier version of this article, published on 24 January, reported that these works had been carried out at a wall surrounding the 1916 memorial at Arbour Hill, which is in a different part of the complex, and that a section of the wall surrounding the memorial had been removed. 

This was incorrect, and no damage was caused to the 1916 monument. 

This article was updated on 29 January 2024