The State has been granted access to historic buildings on Dublin's Moore St to carry out urgent repair work.

The Department of Arts and Heritage made the application saying that 14-17 Moore St was at serious risk of damage and deterioration.

In court this morning, the State sought a stay on last month's High Court order that the wider Moore St area be classed as a national monument.

While 14-17 Moore St has been recognised as one since 2010 - with number 16 considered the final headquarters of the 1916 rebels - the Department argued that the other buildings had no historical significance.

Mr Justice Max Barrett rejected their application for a stay on the order. However, he did grant the state access to 14-17 Moore St to carry out urgent repairs.

He said it would be ironic if, in a case aimed at protecting historic buildings, they were destroyed.

The judge awarded full costs against the State - with a stay on costs should they decide to appeal the ruling.