The High Court has ordered the occupiers of a house in the Summerhill area of Dublin to vacate the property. The occupiers must leave the property by 8am tomorrow. Take Back Trinity are among the occupiers, some of whom protested outside the High Court this morning. Protestors wore masks of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, while holding banners, to show their solidarity with the occupiers.
The court application was made by PJ O’Donnell, the owner of the occupied property in Summerhill. Lawyers for Mr O’Donnell have told the High Court that they are seeking multiple injunctions, some of which would require occupiers to vacate the property.
Mr O’Donnell argued that there has been interference with his property, and he is concerned that this may occur in other properties. He also contended that the properties were vacated in May due to fire safety concerns, under the advice of a senior officer within Dublin City Fire Brigade.
In a public statement, Pat O’Donnell and Company said: “Having made numerous requests to the occupiers, who are trespassing on the property, that they vacate the premises, the trustees have been left with no other option but to pursue the matter through the courts.”
In an occupation of The Custom House yesterday, Trinity students among others issued their demands to the government. They are calling for a total ban on evictions, and the use of all vacant land for public housing. They also call for rent caps of €300, or 20% of an individual’s income.
The Custom House occupation ended after a representative for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy, confirmed several demonstrators from the housing coalition would meet with him next week.
The news comes as Trinity students are involved in the Festival of Direct Action, which will end on August 25. The festival has seen students involved in the Trans Pride March, to bring attention to the housing crisis. They have also engaged in occupations across Dublin, including the occupation of real estate and investment services firm Kennedy Wilson.
