RELATIVES of three children crushed to death outside the Greenvale Hotel may take legal action to block the venue’s demolition.
Morgan Barnard (17), Lauren Bullock (17) and Connor Currie (16) were killed as they queued for a disco at the hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on St Patrick’s night.
Their relatives were shocked to learn on Thursday that owner Michael McElhatton has lodged plans with Mid Ulster District Council to demolish the building and replace it with five detached homes and garages.
A solicitor for one family said they may take legal action to halt the building’s removal until all investigations are complete.
Morgan Barnard’s father James Bradley told The Irish News his family have concerns.
“While I would welcome the Greenvale being demolished I would have concerns about when the demolition takes place because this venue is critical to the ongoing investigation and could have an evidential value at a later date,” he said.
Several investigations are under way.
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Solicitor Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, who represents Morgan’s parents, said: “We have been instructed to write to the relevant authorities seeking assurances that no demolition will take place until after the relevant investigations have been completed.
“If these assurances are not forthcoming we will not hesitate to take legal action to ensure the retention of best evidence and the retention of these buildings.”
A spokeswoman for Mr McElhatton confirmed that the application has been made “for the redevelopment of the Greenvale Hotel site”.
“There are no immediate plans for a change of use of the premises which will continue with its current operations for the foreseeable future,” she said.
She said Mr McElhatton “has reassured staff and customers that he had no plans for a change of use of the premises and all bookings and functions are totally unaffected by this application and employees’ jobs continue as usual”.
It is understood that staff were not told about the development plans in advance of the application.
