Latest news with #Enniskerry
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Look inside: Shane Ross and Ruth Buchanan selling Enniskerry home for €3.5m
Address : Glenbrook House and Mews, Enniskerry Village, Co Wicklow Price : €3,500,000 Agent : DNG View this property on Glenbrook House is a large, detached home built in 1830, nestled on two acres of lush, private gardens, right on the doorstep of Enniskerry , Co Wicklow . It's been the home of former minister for transport Shane Ross and his wife, former RTÉ broadcaster Ruth Buchanan, for nearly 20 years, but now the couple have decided to downsize, and are putting this 344sq m (3,698sq ft) period house – complete with swimming pool, tennis court and an additional 76.2sq m (820sq ft) mews house – on the market through DNG, seeking €3.5 million. Glenbrook House is built in an L shape and retains many of its period features, including its distinctive roughcast facade, its numerous sash and case windows and a fine marble fireplace with a cast-iron inset in the drawingroom. The house sits on an elevated woodland glade surrounded by mature trees, affording complete privacy and tranquillity just 100m from Enniskerry's village square. The house was extended in 1845, but a more recent kitchen/breakfastroom extension makes for a more prominent focal point. It's a modern, fully glazed sunroom extension with a pitched roof and vaulted wooden rafters, cleverly positioned to maximise the light pouring in throughout the day. The wooden beams nicely blend in with the sylvan setting, and it's no surprise to learn that this is the heart of the house, where family and friends gather, and it opens out to a lovely walled courtyard filled with raised plant beds and climbing hydrangea. The kitchen is well equipped, with solid-wood units painted in dark grey, and solid-wood countertops. Off the kitchen is a big, bright family room with two large windows and a raised fireplace on a granite stone hearth. Off this is a den with an en-suite shower room, which would make a handy downstairs guest bedroom. READ MORE Ross and Buchanan didn't need to extend this spacious property, but they did knock a couple of internal walls to open out the diningroom and bring in more light from the front and back of the house. Glenbrook House Aerial view Drawingroom Family room Diningroom Kitchen and breakfastroom Off the diningroom is a study where Ross writes his columns for the Sunday Independent. He's also finishing a project that had been put on hold while he underwent treatment for cancer: a book about RTÉ, focusing on the issues that have seen Montrose become the news over the years, including the recent payments controversies. Next door to the study is what the owners call the book room, a cosy reading room with extensive shelves and an old-style writing desk. [ Serenity and the city: Impressive Victorian on Leeson Park for €4.95m Opens in new window ] One very attractive period feature is the ornate oak staircase leading from the entrance hall to the upstairs bedrooms featuring detailed carving. There are four large bedrooms upstairs, along with two en-suite bathrooms, a shower room and a WC. A picture window on the return looks out over the heated swimming pool. Swimming pool Courtyard garden Tennis court Glenbrook Mews The adjoining mews house has a small entrance lobby and a large open-plan kitchen and living area downstairs. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a bathroom. This space could benefit from a cosmetic refresh to make the most of this fine additional accommodation for guests, a family member or to let. The gardens are a wonder to walk around, with wide lawns, a wild meadow and a vast array of mature trees and plants. There are apple, pear and plum trees, a fig tree and raspberry and redcurrant beds, and a brook trickling into nearby Glencullen river. A path leads down to the enclosed tennis court and the swimming pool, which can be accessed from the drawingroom. [ Classic Kenny-built five-bed in Mount Merrion for €1.55m Opens in new window ] Over the years, Glenbrook House has provided a welcoming home from home for the owners' children and grandchildren, and many of the bedrooms are furnished with grandkids in mind. The mews house also provides accommodation for visiting family members at Christmas and other holidays, and the swimming pool, tennis courts and extensive gardens have been little short of paradise for little ones. Ross and Buchanan feel the time is right to make the move to a more manageable home. They'll be looking for somewhere around Dublin 6, where they'll be closer to family. For a new family looking to move to a quiet rural location right next to the vibrant village of Enniskerry and just down the road from Powerscourt Estate, and within easy reach of the M11 and M50 and with bus routes directly in to Dublin city centre, Glenbrook House will tick those boxes.
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Irish Times
‘Our beloved Zeinat was brutally taken from us': Man who stabbed wife 14 times on Christmas Eve jailed for life
A controlling husband who murdered his wife by stabbing her 14 times on Christmas Eve – and who recorded her on his mobile phone as she lay dying – has been jailed for life. 'It's hard to see what can be salvaged from this wreckage. I wish [the family] well in trying to put this behind them and move forward in life,' Mr Justice Tony Hunt said on Monday as he sentenced Bahaalddin Alshwawrah (45) at the Central Criminal Court. Alshwawrah, with an address at Park Na Sillogue Court, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, was charged with the murder of 42-year-old Zeinat Bashabsheh at the address on December 24th, 2021. Detective Sergeant Gerard Brennan confirmed to Ronan Kennedy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that a trial date was originally fixed for May 12 this year, before a plea was entered in April. READ MORE Det Sgt Brennan said that Ms Bashabsheh and Alshwawrah had met online. She travelled to Jordan to meet him, before they married and relocated to Ireland, where they had three children together. The court heard Ms Bashabsheh had two children from a previous relationship. On Christmas Eve 2021, Alshwawrah banged on the window of his neighbour's house, shouting that he had killed his wife, before he walked calmly back to his own house and rang someone on his mobile phone. Two neighbours entered his home, where they observed his wife slumped on the floor in a corner of the kitchen, with multiple stab wounds to her torso. Alshwawrah was on the phone at the time, shouting: 'I hope she dies.' Det Sgt Brennan said that Alshwawrah was making allegations that his wife had an affair, with Alshwawrah saying that he was videoing the incident to send to another man. The detective confirmed that State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis determined that the cause of death was stab wounds to the chest, with 14 stab wounds inflicted with a single-edged blade having been identified in total. Det Sgt Brennan said that Alshwawrah's phone was seized and analysed, with videos on the device showing Ms Bashabsheh slumped on the floor during 'the final throes of life'. He confirmed the videos showed that Alshwawrah did not offer any assistance to his wife. The detective said that Facebook messages, both written and voice, were sent by the defendant to an account, including videos of her dying. He said that a video of Ms Bashabsheh dying on the floor was sent to another account with the message: 'I killed my wife.' Det Sgt Brennan said that in interview Alshwawrah suggested that he had been a victim of violence by his wife on previous occasions, but no evidence of this was found. The detective said that gardaí obtained detailed evidence that controverted many of Alshwawrah's claims, adding that Alshwawrah was aggressive and controlling of his wife. He said that in 2018 Ms Bashabsheh obtained an interim barring order against her husband, alleging he had stabbed her with a knife. Det Sgt Brennan said that Alshwawrah has two previous convictions from Jordan, one for simple injury recorded in 1999 as well as a conviction for simple injury/threats in 2004. In a victim impact statement read out by Mr Kennedy, Ms Bashabsheh's family said that 'our beloved Zeinat was brutally taken from us'. 'She was the heart of our family, her presence lit up every room,' they said, describing her as a devoted mother. 'When we look into the eyes of her children, we see a pain that no child should know. 'We now live every day with a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Each of us has lost a piece of themselves. 'She did not deserve to die in such a violent, senseless way, and we did not deserve to lose someone so precious to us.' In a letter of apology, read out in court by Michael Bowman SC, defending, Alshwawrah said: 'I took away my wife's life and I will never forgive myself ... I wish I could turn back time, but I know this is not possible.' Alshwawrah apologised to his children for having to grow up without their parents. Mr Justice Hunt said this had been a very upsetting case to listen to, in which a relatively young life had been taken away in 'a very violent and uncaring way'. He said the fact that fatal wounds were inflicted while the defendant was recording and sharing it had defied belief. The judge imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison.
BreakingNews.ie
19-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
'I hope she dies': Controlling husband who stabbed wife 14 times jailed for life
A controlling husband who murdered his wife by stabbing her 14 times on Christmas Eve after claiming she had an affair and recorded her on his mobile phone as she lay dying has been jailed for life. 'It's hard to see what can be salvaged from this wreckage. I wish [the family] well in trying to put this behind them and move forward in life,' said Mr Justice Tony Hunt on Monday, sentencing Bahaalddin Alshwawrah (45) at the Central Criminal Court. Advertisement Alshwawrah, with an address at Park Na Sillogue Court, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, was charged with the murder of Zeinat Bashabsheh (42) at the same address on December 24th, 2021. Detective Sergeant Gerard Brennan confirmed to counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions Ronan Kennedy SC that a trial date was originally fixed for May 12th this year, before a plea was entered in April. Det Sgt Brennan said that the deceased and Alshwawrah met online, with Ms Bashabsheh travelling to Jordan to meet him, before they married and relocated to Ireland, where they had three children together. The court heard that Ms Bashabsheh had two children from a previous relationship. On Christmas Eve 2021, the defendant banged on the window of his neighbour's house shouting that he had killed his wife, before he walked calmly back to his own house and rang someone on his mobile phone. Advertisement Two neighbours entered his home, where they observed his wife slumped on the floor in a corner of the kitchen, with multiple stab wounds to her torso. The defendant was on the phone at the time, shouting: 'I hope she dies.' Det Sgt Brennan said that Alshwawrah was making allegations that his wife had an affair, with the defendant saying that he was videoing the incident to send to another man. The detective confirmed that State pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis determined that the cause of death was stab wounds to the chest, with 14 stab wounds inflicted with a single-edged blade having been identified in total. Det Sgt Brennan said that the defendant's phone was seized and analysed, with videos on the device showing Ms Bashabsheh slumped on the floor during 'the final throes of life'. He confirmed the videos showed that Alshwawrah did not offer any assistance to his wife. Advertisement The detective said that Facebook messages, both written and voice, were sent by the defendant to an account, including videos of her dying. He said that a video of Ms Bashabsheh dying on the floor was sent to another account with the message: 'I killed my wife.' Det Sgt Brennan said that in interview, Alshwawrah suggested that he had been a victim of violence by his wife on previous occasions, but no evidence of this was found. The detective said that gardaí obtained detailed evidence that controverted many of the defendant's claims, adding that Alshwawrah was aggressive and controlling of his wife. He said that in 2018, Ms Bashabsheh obtained an interim barring order against her husband, alleging that he had stabbed her with a knife. Det Sgt Brennan said that Alshwawrah has two previous convictions from Jordan, one for simple injury recorded in 1999 as well as a conviction for simple injury/threats in 2004. Advertisement In a victim impact statement read out by Mr Kennedy, Ms Bashabsheh's family said that 'our beloved Zeinat was brutally taken from us'. 'She was the heart of our family, her presence lit up every room,' they said, describing her as a devoted mother. 'When we look into the eyes of her children, we see a pain that no child should know,' said the family. 'We now live every day with a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Each of us has lost a piece of themselves... She did not deserve to die in such a violent, senseless way, and we did not deserve to lose someone so precious to us.' Advertisement Ireland Gardaí deny Satchwell was made to 'perp walk' afte... Read More In a letter of apology, read out by defence counsel, Michael Bowman SC, Alshwawrah said: 'I took away my wife's life and I will never forgive myself... I wish I could turn back time, but I know this is not possible.' He apologised to his children for having to grow up without their parents. Mr Justice Hunt said this had been a very upsetting case to listen to, in which a relatively young life had been taken away in 'a very violent and uncaring way'. He said the fact that fatal wounds were inflicted while the defendant was recording and sharing it, defied belief. Mr Justice Hunt imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Enniskerry scheme with view of the Sugar Loaf: A-rated houses from €775,000
Address : Silver Vale, Enniskerry Village, Co Wicklow Price : €775,000 Agent : Hooke & MacDonald View this property on Silver Vale is a new development of 84 A-rated houses on the Cookstown Road just outside the picturesque village of Enniskerry in Co Wicklow . The developers – Westin Homes and Dowdstown Developments – have paid a lot of attention to detail in building these spacious three-, four- and five-bedroom detached and semidetached homes, but one particular detail really stands out: the Great Sugar Loaf mountain, which rises on the skyline to the south. It can be seen from many of the bedrooms in the development – a nice view to wake up to in the morning. The houses at Silver Vale are generously proportioned, ranging from 119sq m (1,281sq ft) for the three-bed semidetached houses to 190sq m (2,042sq ft) for the five-bed detached houses. The four-bed semidetached houses measure 142sq m (1,528sq ft) and the four-bed detached houses are 173sq m (1,862sq ft). All are built on a large site on the Cookstown Road, with five acres of green spaces to allow the development to breathe. Each house has its own driveway for parking, and there is no shortage of parking spaces on the development. The houses are built in masonry block and concrete, with yellow bricks on the exteriors, and have high levels of insulation, thermal performance and airtightness. Windows, from Munster Joinery, are triple-glazed, low-emission Alu-clad, reflecting heat back into the rooms during the winter months and keeping the rooms cool during the summer. The houses have air-to-water heat pumps with multizone controls and thermostatically controlled radiators. READ MORE Silver Vale Kitchen/diningroom Kitchen/diningroom Kitchen/diningroom Livingroom Bedroom The three-bed semidetached houses are priced from €775,000, the four-bed semidetached houses from €950,000, the four-bed detached houses from €1.275 million and the five-bed detached houses from €1.375 million. All boast either an A2 or A3 energy rating and are for sale through Hooke & MacDonald. The first phase of Silver Vale is launching today. Justin Dunne, founder of Dowdstown Developments, and his son, Austin, have created stylish, comfortable homes in this scenic location. The internal doors are attractively detailed, and the wide skirting boards and hand-finished architraves give a sense of solidity. All the kitchens have been hand-painted by Cawleys Furniture and fitted with quartz worktops, while the bathrooms and en suites have sanitary ware by Villeroy & Boch. Rather than going for a trendy, ultra-modern look, the Dunnes have kept the decor simple and classic, fitting elegant brass and chrome fittings on the doors, cupboards and wardrobes, laying 18mm herringbone engineered wood floors in the four- and five-beds, with straight-plank in the three-beds. Interior walls are painted in Dulux's warm and neutral Cotton Bloom shade. Inside, the houses are designed to work well for busy, growing families, with well-proportioned living spaces, ample ceiling heights, decent-sized double bedrooms and plenty of storage, cupboard and wardrobe spaces. There's also a large attic space that is ready for conversion, with steel support beams built in and the skeletal structure already in place. Should new owners decide to convert, they would need to add another set of stairs from the landing, put in the walls, ceiling and floor, and add in a Velux roof lights. The resulting space would be big enough for a large playroom, teenagers' den, gym or yoga room, with ample headroom. The back gardens of Silver Vale have been landscaped by Jane McCorkell, and have large patio areas, plus a bespoke shed made by Willow Garden Buildings. Enniskerry is a lovely village nestling by the river Dargle, with charming cafes and restaurants, and it's easy to walk in an out of the village via the scenic Beech Walk. The beautiful Powerscourt Estate, House and Gardens are just around the corner from Silver Vale, and the development is on the doorstep of the Wicklow Mountains, a haven for hillwalkers, with waymarked walks in Glendalough and Lugnaquilla. Recreational facilities for children are abundant, from Kilruddery House to Clara Lara Funpark. Schools in the area include Powerscourt, St Mary's and St Gerard's national schools, and St Gerard's, Presentation College Bray and Loreto secondary schools. For commuting, the M11 is just down at the bottom of Cookstown Avenue, and the 44 bus route brings you to the city centre in just over an hour. The 185 brings you to Bray, where you can take the Dart to Dublin city centre.
