Court told that weekend ‘squat party’ is cancelled
Earlier this week a bank-appointed receiver over 31 Mountjoy Square East, where the proposed party was due to take place, had asked the High Court for an injunction preventing the event from going ahead.
The receiver, Sean McNamara, also sought orders against several named individuals claiming to reside at the property, including one seeking vacant possession of the building.
The court heard the squat party, which was to comprise “two stages of the biggest sounds in drum and base reggae, jungle, dub, and psychetrance” was to begin tonight and run until Monday morning.
When the matter came before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan yesterday, he was told the party had been cancelled and an agreement reached about vacating the premises.
Lawyers for Mr McNamara, of Smith and Williamson Freaney Ltd, brought proceedings against 10 residents over concerns he had about the party as well as difficulties he had in taking possession of the building.
Mr McNamara was appointed receiver over the four-storey over-basement house last April, after the owner had failed to satisfy a demand by Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank for repayment of a €2.48m loan.
The building, which formed part of security for the loan, contains nine one-bedroom units. The court heard the building is in a poor state of repair, with an overflowing sewerage system. The interior was covered in graffiti and parts of the building have been vandalised.
Rubbish had been piled almost two metres high in the basement. Gardaí had informed the receiver that last May, a cannabis-growing facility was found in the basement and several arrests had been made.
Rory Mulcahy, for the receiver, said his client had serious concerns the property could be damaged by the proposed party, which he had been informed was cancelled only within the last 24 hours.
Several of the residents attended court yesterday. One, Wayne Finane, who represented himself, said the application for an injunction was not necessary.
He said the party had been cancelled some days ago, and this information was communicated to the receiver’s solicitors.
Mr Finane said any issue concerning their residency was a matter for the Private Residential Tenancies Board and not the High Court.
The parties agreed to enter discussions. Afterwards, the court was told the Facebook page advertising the party would be taken down.
Subject to the agreement of all the residents, it was agreed the property would be vacated.
