An oasis of calm amid a storm of comments
As the airwaves and social media became overwhelmed with comment on the plight of the Kellys, the scene outside their vacated dwelling was a relative oasis of calm.
The quiet cul-de-sac of St Matthias Wood in Killiney was practically empty except for a large number of journalists and photographers who had congregated on the secluded gated community.
The small enclave of five large, red-brick mansions situated off Church Rd in the upmarket suburb is an unlikely setting for scenes some claim are reminiscent of 19th century-style evictions.
A large, blue tent on the footpath outside the Kellys’ five-bedroom residence was the only visible hint at the dramatic scenes which had transpired less than 24 hours earlier.
Unintentionally, it had blocked a car parked in their driveway belonging to a G4S security officer who peered out between the curtains of the couple’s home, before opting to walk home after his shift ended.
The flaps of the blue ProAction six-man tent weighed down by small blocks fluttered in the wind revealing its few contents: Some cushions, sleeping mats, and blankets.
The couple, who had slept overnight in the tent, had left earlier to wash in a friend’s house and escape the media attention.
One of their neighbours, who could be heard sobbing loudly as she filmed the dramatic video footage of the Kellys’ eviction, which was subsequently uploaded to YouTube and can be seen at irishexaminer.com, described the previous day’s scene as “distressing and horrendous”.
The mother of three, who did not wish to be named, said the Kellys were fantastic neighbours who had always remembered her own children’s birthdays
“I’m very concerned for the couple as they are very frail. I completely broke down myself I was so shaken. It was very intimidating.”
The woman said it was also a scary lesson about the approach taken by financial institutions to borrowers who fall behind in their mortgages.
“It just shows the lengths which banks will go to when pensioners, women and children with special needs can get put out on the street. That is the terrifying thing. If you fall behind in your mortgage, you’d better be very afraid.”
She said all the neighbours in the small community had offered their support.
“The Kellys know that they have a bed in every house on this road,” she said.
However, the couple, who once ran successful Irish-themed retail outlets on the German holiday island of Sylt, returned to St Matthias Wood last evening vowing to spend another night in their new makeshift home.
