Activists continue occupation despite eviction threat

THE occupation of an unfinished office building continued in Cork city over the weekend as the possible threat of eviction loomed.

Legal representatives of the owners of the premises on Oliver Plunkett Street tried to issue letters to the occupants on Thursday but the correspondence was not accepted by those inside.

However, it is understood that the measure was the first step in what could culminate in court proceedings to seek an order to have people removed from Stapleton House.

Some of those who had been involved in the Occupy Cork protest at nearby South Mall moved into the premises over Christmas. They said they have not caused any damage and will not be altering any of the structure inside.

Dozens of people attended an open day at the building yesterday afternoon, with céilí dancing and traditional music provided as entertainment to visitors.

The empty building was under development for retail and office use after permission was granted in 2008 to local developer Joe O’Donovan’s company Padlake Ltd.

It is understood the building is linked to a commercial loan taken over by the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA), but although the agency does not own the property, it is likely to be monitoring the situation closely.

The occupants, branding themselves as Cork City Centre (CCC) say they have liberated the building for the public and intend to open a community resource centre there on January 23.

The CCC group said it has requested a copy of the title documents of the purported ownership of the building by Mr O’Donovan. “The group considers that such documents must include a folio that will show the burdens, if any, which have registered against the property,” a weekend statement said.

“We believe that the loans outstanding in respect of the building have been placed into the administration of NAMA.

“Therefore, for all practical purposes the building is owned by the people of Ireland,” it said.