Home repossessions: ‘Nobody in there is listening to us’ say protesters

Even by its usually busy standards Cork’s courthouse on Washington Street saw an increased footfall yesterday, as the usual traffic of legal eagles negotiated its way through a congregation of protestors who took up residence on the court’s limestone steps for the morning.

Coming from a number of groups, they were all there because of one common united reason: Home repossessions.

A total of 93 possession cases were brought to the court yesterday, bringing to 415 the number of similar cases listed for appearance in Cork alone since the start of the year.

Banners identified the various groups present. The Hub describes itself as a non-profit support group for those struggling with their mortgages; The Anti-Eviction Task Force says it has no political affiliation. The the Irish Democratic Party says it is the country’s newest political party.

Mary (not her real name) was one of the dozens on the courthouse steps.

While her case was not before the court yesterday, she said she was there to show her support.

A repossession order on her home was left stand over the past couple of months, but she is expecting to be evicted later this week.

“It was a very tough Christmas, very tough. It’s very tough now. Every day is tough,” she says.

She now owes €200,000 on the four-bedroom home that she lives in with her husband and son.

Her husband, now in his 50s, worked in construction, and lost his job as the Celtic Tiger bubble burst. A combination of his age and health problems has meant he has found it hard to get back into employment.

“The people in there for the bank didn’t have to say a word. The judge listened to my case, she said to try and keep us in our house, she wouldn’t throw me out for Christmas. Those were her words.

“We won’t throw them out for Christmas, how long can we try and keep them in there. They said until the 15th of February.

“In the meantime I was told to fill in a financial statement. I went to the bank, told them my position, what I was living on, what I can afford basically and they came back with a letter the other day to say the sheriff will be on its way unless I hand up my keys voluntarily.”

She said she was also there to support the work of The Hub, which she said had offered her advice without the legal bills.

“I’ve been to a solicitor, and they told me that the banks have the say and you pay and that’s it. Pay or else. The Hub aren’t sending me a massive bill like a solicitor would, a bill I couldn’t afford to pay.

“The reason I’m here today is that I got no justice in there. Nobody listened to me at any stage in that court, or to my husband. Nobody listened to us.”

Brian McCarthy of The Anti-Eviction Task Force remortgaged his family home for €348,000 to invest in his business. His business went bust and while he said he successfully paid off his creditors, he was left with the remortgage. He says the group want to empower those struggling.

“The media try to portray that people aren’t trying to pay. Everyone that we deal with are trying to pay to the best of their ability. There are some people who are unemployed, there are some people who are in huge levels of depression and emotional pain,” he said.

Most of the 93 cases heard yesterday were adjourned, and before noon the banners were rolled up for the next protest.

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