Court orders protesters to vacate house today
THE High Court has ordered people occupying a house in Dublin’s north inner city to vacate the property by today.
Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan granted the property owner PJ O’Donnell (as trustee of the Pat O’Donnell & Co Ltd Retirement and Death Benefit Plan) injunctions requiring persons unknown to vacate and cease trespassing at one of seven properties owned by the pension plan.
The properties are located at 33-39 Summerhill Parade, Ballybough, in Dublin 1.
The court heard that of those houses, number 35 is the only property occupied. Barrister Julia Lawlor, instructed by solicitor Tony Reynolds for Mr O’Donnell, told the High Court while the occupation was some sort of publicity-seeking form of political protest, Mr O’Donnell had received an email from an anonymous sender which added to the urgency of the action.
Counsel said the email was entitled “Drop dead” and told Mr O’Donnell that if he did not drop the case there would be “hell to pay for you, your business and your family.”
The application was not opposed. While more than 20 people were present in court for the hearing, when the court registrar asked for any of the persons unknown in occupation to identify themselves he was greeted by silence.
The owner sought the orders due to fire safety concerns and because the house’s insurance coverage will be cancelled if the occupation continues.
The property was occupied earlier this month, and those in occupation had refused to leave, counsel said.