Dublin sinkhole thought to be caused by tunnel leading to 19th Century brothel

Dame Street was brought to a halt on 31 March after a two-foot section of the road collapsed

(YouTube)

A 19th Century brothel is thought to be to blame for a sinkhole which appeared in the middle of a road in Dublin, Ireland.

Dame Street was brought to a halt on 31 March after a two-foot section of the road collapsed and the area had to be cordoned off by council workers.

Historian Gerry Cooley told the Herald that an old cellar discovered in the hole could be part of a "long-rumoured tunnel" thought to have been used by 19th Century politicians sneaking off to brothels.

"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 artefacts 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," he added.

Dublin City Council confirmed that the hole contained "an old cellar" and was being filled in with concrete.