DONEGAL TD Thomas Pringle has asked that the Government intervene on the demolition of the former Nazareth House orphanage in Fahan.
The building was tossed last weekend with a planned development of three holiday homes on the site.
Conditional planning permission was granted to ODK Properties for the works last month by Donegal County Council.
The local authority set down 16 conditions, including an archaeological assessment of the site before any building works take place.
“I am extremely concerned to see that this orphanage has been demolished,” Deputy Pringle said.
“It seems that works are ongoing, but that the building itself was demolished over the weekend.
“I am informed that there doesn’t seem to have been an archaeological survey pre-works.
Thomas Pringle (North West Newspix)
“Given the importance of preserving possible burial sites, I have asked Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Roderic O’Gorman to intervene immediately until an archaeological survey is undertaken.
“This causes such damage and hurt to survivors.
Last week, Deputy Pringle had raised the issue of protecting burial sites at mother and baby homes with Minister O’Gorman in the Dáil, saying the designation of the sites in county development plans was vitally important.
He has also raised the issue directly with Minister O’Brien.
A third party submission was made to the council with concerns that there is a possibility of unmarked graves on site given the history of the home.
This was considered a ‘valid concern’ by planners. Developers were told that least one trial trench should be excavated on the site by a qualified archaeologist as part of their assessment before building.
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