The Irish Times

Casino

The Irish Georgian Society has expressed concern that proposals for a new medico-legal centre in the grounds of the historic Casino at Marino, Dublin, "will have an overwhelming negative impact on the immediate setting of the 18th century neoclassical masterpiece". In a submission lodged with Dublin City Council before the closing date this week, the society argued that consideration should be given to developing the lands around the building, which dates from the 1760s, as a "suitable parkland landscape setting" for the Casino and a "major amenity" for local residents. However, should the proposed building, which would house offices of the State Pathologist, be approved, the surviving undeveloped grounds of the Marino demesne would be "irretrievably divided in two", it said. In the submission, Donough Cahill, deputy director of the society, argued that the setting of the Casino - which is a national monument and protected structure - would be severely compromised by the development of the new medico-legal centre on the site. It would also establish a precedent for further development of the historic parkland, he said.