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GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a suspicious fire at a landmark residence owned by a brother of billionaire horse racing tycoon JP McManus.
The blaze which destroyed the former Bishop’s Palace, North Circular Road, Limerick, broke out shortly before 11.30pm.
The eight-bedroom manor, Kilmoyle House, was the former residence of Catholic Limerick bishops but has not been occupied for years.
Gerry McManus, a brother of well-known philanthropist and racehorse owner JP McManus, purchased it in 2014 for an undisclosed price after it went on the market for €1.1m.
It was sold by property developer Aidan Brooks who purchased it in 2007 for €26m making it one of the country’s most expensive properties. Brooks had previously planned to build a nursing home and retirement village on the site.
It’s believed Gerry McManus was planning to carry out remedial works at the historic house. In 2015, a planning notice at the property stated that Gerry McManus intended to apply for planning permission for seven works on the site. The notice stated that he wished to remove late 20th century house extensions and outbuildings, make modifications to the existing house, construct a gate lodge near the entrance, construct courtyard buildings, construct an underground garage, and make repairs and alterations to the site boundaries.
Brooks, (46), also from Limerick, but who runs a vast property portfolio from London, retained five acres of land around Kilmoyle House, leaving one acre as part of the sale to McManus. He also owns Portland House, the former Church of Ireland’s bishop’s residence, located next door.
Built around 1845, Kilmoyle House has 7,159 square feet of living space, and is listed as a building of important architectural heritage.
The three-storey property, which includes one acre of land, was destroyed in last night’s fire.
Firefighters attached to Limerick city and county fire service fought the flames for four hours before bringing it under control.
“Two fire trucks, and a water tanker vehicle were dispatched to the scene. On arrival the house was well alight,” said a source.
Fire crews also used an aerial extendable ladder to fight the fire from above as it swept through the building.
“The house has been extensively damaged. Gardai have sealed the house off pending a technical examination this morning,” the source added.
No one was injured.
Mayorstone Gardai are investigating the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire.
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That’s fantastic!!! Well done Sir.
Fair play!
Retired at 55 Great country
@Paul O Riordan: you could retire at any age if you want ,it just that the money isn’t great
@FlopFlipU: on a sliding scale is it. No one told me that
@Paul O Riordan: not 1 bit envious are you
@Paul O Riordan:
One family member retired at 47, my father at 77
When it’s entirely self financed you can do as you like
@Paul O Riordan: mind your own!!!
@Paul O Riordan: Have you always been a grade A A****h**e? People like you just suck every last bit of good out of everything. Do you know this man’s back story or is it one of your hide behind the keyboard judgements?
How did he cycle across the oceans……
@Alan McCartney: Apparently he swam the ocean sections with the bicycle strapped to his back.
@Alan McCartney: Apparently he swam the ocean sections with the bicycle strapped to his back which is deemed acceptable.
@Alan McCartney: I would have liked to see a few references to Chukchi Sea, the Diomede Islands and Alaska. also Afghanistan and the NWT in Pakistan rather than Madrid, Australia and Waghington DC…
@Alan McCartney: *sigh (There’s always one)
55? Sure he’s only a youngfella.
I would absolutely loveeeee to do this. I’m gonna do it when I’m 56, lololol.
When will someone travel around the world just for fun and forget about the goody goody charity thing?Tell people you’re going around the globe for a laugh and you have nothing better to do.
@Sarah Bullimer: what on earth is wrong with raising money for charity?
Well done! Full of admiration for him.
Excellent well Done
Fair play to him. well done Sir a great achievement. I remember hearing a few years ago about someone else who was doing this or something similar, and they got as far as Dublin and had their Bike nicked from outside the GPO. He said he hadn’t had to lock it in any other city he had been too before Dublin.
@thatsnotme: maybe so but hardly unique to Dublin. Cycling UK report that 327,000 bicycles are stolen every year in England and Wales
W
Well done Viktor Orban sir
Go Dermo go. Enjoyed the posts along the way well done
horrible prostate issues – forgive me for assuming
His arse must be killing him!
I’d say his poor hoop is in shite
have your say