Activists occupy former Ardee House pub in Dublin for conversion to community centre; High Court issues trespass order
The Revolutionary Housing League has occupied the former Ardee House pub on Chamber Street in Dublin’s Liberties with plans to convert it into the Anne Devlin Community Centre. Black Sheep Investments Limited, the current owner, informed the High Court that the building is in a deteriorated condition and poses safety risks. The court issued a restraining order to halt the occupation. Activists claim they have not yet been formally served with the order and dispute claims about the building’s structural integrity, asserting it is safe and clean. They also deny allegations of planned unlicensed alcohol sales, stating the centre will be dry. A community event is scheduled for the following Saturday to discuss potential uses of the space. The property was acquired by Black Sheep Investments in 2017, and a new planning application for redevelopment has recently been submitted to Dublin City Council.
Irish Times frames the event primarily through a legal and property rights lens, emphasizing the illegality of the occupation, structural dangers, and the procedural response by owners. RTÉ centers the activists’ perspective, highlighting their community-oriented intentions, disputing safety claims, and underscoring local support. While both agree on core facts, they diverge significantly in tone, emphasis, and the presentation of contested claims. Irish Times provides greater procedural completeness, while RTÉ offers more on-the-ground context and activist voice.
- ✓ The Revolutionary Housing League occupied the former Ardee House pub at Chamber Street, Dublin 8.
- ✓ The property is owned by Black Sheep Investments Limited, which acquired it from Teeling Whiskey Company in 2017.
- ✓ Black Sheep Investments previously sought planning permission for redevelopment (14 apartments with a community facility) but was unsuccessful.
- ✓ A new planning application has been submitted to Dublin City Council.
- ✓ The activists intend to repurpose the building as a community centre, specifically naming it the Anne Devlin Community Centre.
- ✓ A public event or gathering is planned for the following Saturday.
- ✓ Jack Teeling is a director of Black Sheep Investments and provided written evidence to the court.
- ✓ The High Court issued a restraining order against the activists’ continued occupation.
Awareness and notification of the court order
Quotes activists stating they had not been officially served with the order and will decide on next steps only if it is formally served.
Reports the issuance of the High Court order as a legal fact, with no mention of whether activists had received it.
Condition of the building
Activists directly refute this, calling it 'complete nonsense' and asserting the building is structurally sound and only required cleaning after 16 years of vacancy.
Relays the owner’s legal claim that the building is in 'a state of deterioration and partial collapse' and poses a danger.
Plans for alcohol at the event
Activists explicitly deny this, stating the centre will be dry and alcohol will not be served.
Reports the barrister’s claim that activists may host 'unlicensed sale of alcohol' at a planned party.
Trigger for legal action
Does not mention media exposure or its role in initiating legal proceedings.
States the trespass came to light via a Irish Times article by Kitty Holland, implying media exposure prompted legal response.
Community response
Highlights positive community engagement, with neighbours visiting and expressing support for the initiative.
Does not report on local community reaction.
Irish Times
Framing: Irish Times frames the event as an illegal occupation requiring urgent legal intervention due to safety and property rights concerns. The narrative centers on the legitimacy of ownership, legal process, and risk mitigation.
Tone: formal, legalistic, and cautionary
Framing by Emphasis: Describes activists as 'broke into' and 'unlawfully taken it over,'reinforcing the illegality of the action.
"who broke into the former Ardee Pub... intending to reopen it as a community centre, were today restrained by the High Office from continuing their trespass"
Cherry-Picking: Highlights danger claims without counterpoint, presenting them as factual assertions from legal representatives.
"were in a state of deterioration and partial collapse inside and were a danger to those who had unlawfully taken it over"
Loaded Language: Includes claim of potential unlicensed alcohol sales, which is not corroborated and later denied, but presented without qualification.
"possibly with the unlicensed sale of alcohol"
Editorializing: Notes media exposure (its own) as the trigger for legal action, possibly elevating its own role in the narrative.
"the trespass had come to light through an article in The Irish Times"
Proper Attribution: Uses formal legal and corporate language throughout, centering property ownership and planning history.
"Black Sheep Investments which owned the properties and the company had very recently become aware..."
RTÉ
Framing: RTÉ frames the event as a community-led initiative facing legal overreach, emphasizing the activists’ peaceful intentions, structural safety, and local support. The narrative challenges official claims and centers activist agency.
Tone: sympathetic, conversational, and advocacy-oriented
Framing by Emphasis: Opens by emphasizing activists’ lack of formal notification, casting doubt on the immediacy or legitimacy of enforcement.
"Activists... said they have not been officially notified of a High Court order"
Appeal to Emotion: Presents activist claims about building safety as direct rebuttals to official statements, giving them equal or greater weight.
"the notion that it's unsafe or structurally unsound is complete nonsense"
Narrative Framing: Highlights community engagement and neighbor support, suggesting grassroots legitimacy.
"A good few neighbours have come and called in so far and said they will come on Saturday"
Cherry-Picking: Includes activist denial of alcohol sales, directly countering a key claim from the legal side.
"This is going to be a dry community centre. There's no drink going to be here."
Framing by Emphasis: Describes the activists’ work as 'renovating' and 'cleaning,' framing it as constructive and community-serving.
"they are renovating the Ardee House... it's literally just been dusting"
Irish Times
Irish Times provides detailed legal context, including the court proceedings, the property owner's perspective, and the basis for the High Court order. It includes direct quotes from legal representatives, the property director, and references to planning history and media exposure that triggered awareness. It offers a comprehensive account of the legal and structural concerns raised by the owners.
RTÉ
RTÉ includes on-the-ground activist voices, their rebuttals to legal claims, and community engagement efforts. While it lacks procedural detail about how the court order was obtained, it adds balance by presenting the activists’ perspective on safety, intentions, and community reception. It is less detailed on legal mechanics but richer in activist narrative.
Activists in former pub say no trespass order received
Activist trespass at Ardee House pub in Dublin must end, High Court orders