Sheriffs seize over €100m in two years from those in debt

City and county sheriffs in charge of seizing goods or property from people in debt on foot of court orders have collected over €100m in a two-year period, Department of Justice figures reveal.

The figures highlight the repayments people have had to make by surrendering goods or property to pay their creditors.

Sheriffs in Dublin and Cork, along with court registrars in the provinces, can seize anything belonging to a debtor, from furniture to cars to farm machinery; in effect, anything which is not nailed down.