COMMENT: Irony looms large in the siege of Gorse Hill

Let’s hear the case for the defence, at a time when most of the country is gunning to prosecute. The O’Donnell family at the centre of the siege of Gorse Hill are not the class of people likely to elicit sympathy in these days of austerity and want.

Once upon a time, they bestrode the globe. Brian jacked in a senior number at William Fry Solicitors in order to buy up the world.

He got involved in what is quaintly called “property investment” — a nice term for speculation. Property developers have got horrendous press since the bubble burst, but at least developers created something.