Heritage body An Taisce is seeking urgent action from Dublin City Council to halt the dereliction of the historic Iveagh Markets, which were to have restored as part of a €100 million redevelopment scheme.



Temple Bar hotelier and publican Martin Keane had been due to start work two years ago on an ambitious project to redevelop the late Victorian market on Francis Street in the Liberties, along with the former music venue Mother Redcaps, as a hotel, restaurant and food market complex.



However, the project, which has due to have been completed this year, has not progressed and An Taisce said the market building, a protected structure, is at serious structural risk.



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In 2012, he secured a five-year extension of planning permission, but this will expire in August.



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The council had two options Mr Lumley said; either it used its enforcement powers to insist Mr Keane restore the market, or repossess the building.



The council said it was seeking legal advice on how to proceed.