Protesters force closure of property auction

A group of vocal protesters campaigning against banks and house repossessions has forced the cancellation of a large-scale property auction in Dublin.

Angry demonstrators objected to the staging of the regular Allsop auction held in The Shelbourne Hotel on St Stephen’s Green yesterday morning. The auction, which involves the sale of a large number of distressed properties, was cancelled after a group of about two dozen protesters made it clear they would not allow it to proceed without interruption.

They included members of a number of organisations including Defend Our Homes and People for Economic Justice, although the protest was led by colourful businessman Jerry Beades who is chairman of the campaign group, Friends of Banking Ireland.