Twenty years ago Chris and Ros Murray built their five-bedroom house in Bohermeen, Co Meath without planning permission. After lengthy legal battles, Meath County Council took possession of the house on foot of a High Court order. The High Court allowed the council to proceed with demolition. But notwithstanding the Murrays’ disregard of planning laws, was it the right decision to demolish the 557 square metre building when there’s a housing shortage? Brendan Mannix of Mannix Property Services shared his views.