Packed into a foyer and a small bar at a country hotel in Wicklow, dozens of debtors came to sign away properties they have been fighting desperately to keep out of the clutches of the banks.

The mysterious Rodolphus Allen trust has not explained the magical tactic it believes will defeat the banks. But it has left some clues about its long-shot strategy.

Dozens of people attended a small hotel in Wicklow yesterday for what they were told may be the last signing-in session for a controversial and quasi-spiritual, property trust.

A public officer who was used by a controversial property trust to formally witness hundreds of property transactions has cut his ties with the group.

A trust set up to help “middle Ireland fight back” and which is estimated to control €2bn in assets and have almost 2,000 members last night prevented gardaí and receivers from entering a farm in Co Kildare.