‘Squatter’ loses rights claim to castle

A man’s claim to squatter’s rights over a ruined 13th century castle in Galway has been rejected by the High Court.

Philip Jones, who lives in the stately home next to the ruins of Castle Hacket in Belclare, Tuam, failed in seeking to overturn a Circuit Court decision that the old castle and the ¾-acre site it is on belong to Mairead Ní Nionain’s company, Culburnie Ltd.

Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley said Culburnie had proven it was sufficiently in possession throughout the 15-year period during which Jones claimed he was in occupation. He had failed to prove he enjoyed continuous possession for at least 12 years to give him a legal entitlement to adverse possession.