Historian: Dublin sinkhole could lead to brothel tunnel

DUBLIN, Ireland, April 2 (UPI) -- An Irish historian said an old cellar revealed by a Dublin sinkhole may have been part of a tunnel 19th century politicians used to reach a brothel.

Dublin City Council confirmed a 2-foot section of Dame Street collapsed Tuesday at the intersection with George's Street and "an old cellar" was found at the bottom of the ensuing hole.

Historian Gerry Cooley said the cellar, which officials said was being filled in with concrete, may have been part of a "long-rumored tunnel" believed to have been used by politicians in the 19th century to visit "houses of ill repute."

"The King of England closed down the House of Commons and House of Lords in Ireland during the time when politicians were spending too much time in the brothels," Cooley told the Evening Herald. "They built the tunnels from what is now the Bank of Ireland on College Green. If you dig deep enough anywhere around that area you are likely to find medieval artifacts or a part of the old 17th-to-19th century Ireland."

"It could be the remnants of the residence of Chichester, or the tunnels which politicians would use to sneak out to the pubs or gentleman's clubs," Cooley said.