Noel O'Gara: claims ownership of Terenure site

The HSE has refused to say whether or not it intends to sell a parcel of land in Terenure in south Dublin, the ownership of which is subject to a legal dispute.

Sources have indicated that the HSE has made approaches about valuing the parcel of land – at the corner of Eaton Road and Terenure Road North – with the intention of selling it in the near future. A spokeswoman for the HSE said it is considering how best to develop the site.

However, ownership of the land is in question: both the HSE and businessman Noel O'Gara – who came to prominence when he claimed ownership of Dartmouth Square in Dublin four years ago – claim the site is rightfully theirs. While the HSE says it is the registered title-holder of the land, O'Gara claims he owns the freehold and that the HSE forfeited its ownership rights by letting the land.

The site is now being used as a car park by Dublin city council with the permission of the HSE. However, O'Gara has demanded that all parking meters be taken down to allow for free parking. He has also said that he is considering suing the city council for any income it has earned from parking meters and clamping on the site.