Case begins to evict building occupiers

Legal steps were taken yesterday in an effort to prevent a group of protesters from occupying a building in the centre of Cork.

The protestors have held a number of céilí in the building on Oliver Plunkett St since they took up residence there on Christmas Day.

However, the lawyer for the owners said they were afraid someone would fall down a lift shaft in the unfinished premises and that no insurance would cover it.

James Duggan, counsel for Padlake Ltd, applied for an interlocutory injunction at Cork Circuit Court ordering the occupiers to vacate Stapleton House — a large glass-fronted property at 10, 11 and 12 Oliver Plunkett St and 2 Smith St in Cork City.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin asked if there was any urgency in the matter.

Mr Duggan replied: “It is very urgent. It is a partly finished building. It is unfinished inside. People are occupying it. They had a céilí there last week. Anyone at all could go in.

“Someone might fall down a lift shaft or whatever. My clients are very concerned about that situation,” Mr Duggan said

One of three named defendants in yesterday’s action, Liam Mullaney, said in relation to the céilí that it was attended by parents and their children.

Therefore, they took responsibility for making it completely safe and that people signed a form stating that they were taking full responsibility for their own safety while present in Stapleton House.

“We only used the ground floor. Children were going to be coming in with their parents. It had to be made safe,” Mr Mullaney said.

Judge Ó Donnabháin adjourned the case until Monday for a full hearing of Padlake’s application for an interlocutory injunction.

The judge asked Mr Mullaney if he had consulted with a solicitor and he said he had done so.

However, Mr Mullaney said they needed more time to consider the documentation served on them by the plaintiff.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said they could consult with a solicitor between now and Monday, and that if they wished to prepare any replying affidavits they would have to supply copies to the plaintiff’s solicitor by 2pm on Friday.