Man ‘breaks in’ to his own house in ghost estate
John Ryan, a 68-year-old retired businessman, climbed in the window of the four-bed house he purchased in Killaloe, Co Clare, for €315,000 seven years ago, as part of his long-running battle to live in the house.
Mr Ryan, his son John Jr, and married couple Michelle Burke and William Buck, have been unable to move into their homes in the Ard na Deirge estate after KMPG took possession of it following their appointment as receivers by AIB to the firm that built the homes.
Mr Ryan said he moved into his home “because I’ve had enough. I couldn’t take it any longer. I was at the end of my tether”.
Living at the home without any electricity or water supply since Monday, Mr Ryan said: “I am doing this for my son, John and I won’t have his life destroyed by this.”
Father of four, Mr Ryan said there has been no movement in the matter since the homeowners were joined by 80 supporters protesting at their treatment at the site in April.
A senior Garda, Insp John O’Sullivan of Killaloe Garda Station, said gardaí won’t seek Mr Ryan’s removal from the home as it is a civil matter.
Mr Ryan said that he and his son have spent a combined €600,000 between the two house purchases and legal fees.
He continues to pay €2,700 to Ulster Bank every quarter for a €270,000 bridging loan he took out to purchase the home. “I own the property. I have clean title to it. I’m here for the consequences and if AIB and KPMG want to contest my right to remain there, they can take me to court. I have found it very hard to get justice in this,” he said.
In spite of purchasing the home in 2006, Mr Ryan still has to get keys for the home. He and his wife, Breda, have continued to live at their family home at Caherconlish, Limerick since then.
AIB said it would not be commenting as it does not comment onindividual cases.
Comment from KPMG was pending last night.
