A development firm has been rapped for demolishing an historic convent - that was about to become a listed building.

Kimpton Vale was fined €1,000 in court last month, for destroying the 19th Century site two years ago.

The firm had already been ordered twice by Dublin City Council to reinstate the Presentation convent in Terenure after the demolition.

Failing to do so, Kimpton Vale later pleaded guilty to illegally pulling down the building.

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District Court Judge David McHugh ordered the company to pay a fine of €1,000 and costs of €3,000.

The 1830s convent was part of a three-acre site on Terenure Road West which was sold for €15m in April 2006.

Despite being demolished in November 2006, the slow enforcement process meant the case was only heard recently.

Charges were taken under the 2000 Planning and Development Act against Kimpton Vale's principal.

The firm, run by Laurence Keegan, has been behind a number of projects in north Dublin.

A fresh planning application has been submitted to build 47 homes on the site, including 32 four-bedroom houses.

The application, which has already faced a number of objections, was placed on hold pending the outcome of the convent case.

(PR/JM)