Monday’s sitting of the monthly County Registrar’s Court, which has become known as the ‘repossessions court’ held at the Court Services’ temporary premises at St. Loman’s GAA clubhouse, Mullingar, was most notable for the level of protests which occurred, with the stench from a stink bomb causing the courtroom to be cleared at one stage, until the unpleasant odour dissipated.
While a total of fifty-six homes were listed for hearing for repossession on Monday, on the day no repossession orders were actually granted. The majority of cases before the court were given adjournments, some for six months, others for one month. There were minor amendments to two of the listings and a number of homeowners were present in court to defend their cases.
Throughout the proceedings, protests were shouted from those who oppose the repossession process. One man was clearly unimpressed with the refurbished temporary home of the court, stating that the hearing was “not in a court. This is a changing room.” Others were heard to chant that the GAA was renowned as a community organisation and the use of its facilities to accommodate the County Registrar’s Court did not serve this remit.
Throughout the hotly contended proceeding, the validity and jurisdiction of the court was challenged by protesters. Just before lunch, the shutters on the windows were drawn inside the building because some of those gathered outside held up protest banners to the glass windows underscoring their opposition to the hearing.
As has become a feature of the court, there was a Garda presence, with three Gardai attending, but the members did not contribute to the proceedings but remained in the court for the duration of the sitting.
Having to appear at a repossessions court is a grim experience for those coming before the court, but this month’s session literally became noxious when protests culminated in the release of a stink bomb during proceedings.
The stench from the stink bomb caused a delay while the room was cleaned and the odour dissipated.
The court is now sitting in the Clubhouse of St. Loman’s GAA, which has been re-fitted to accommodate all court sittings. It is now expected courts will be held there for three years.
HEARING
As has been the case at these sittings over the past months, there was a large presence there of Westmeath Land League representatives and others from non political and political groups, as well as insolvency experts, to assist those who faced losing their homes. Banks were represented by attending barristers and solicitors, including some from local firms.
The majority of those appearing to defend their cases represented themselves. One lady stressed that she had been unlawfully served with her summons. Her underage son had signed for the registered letter, she said.
She was told that the County Registrar’s Court would not deal with that issue and her case was adjourned until February.
The proceedings concluded with no repossessions of family homes. One of the homeowners told the court that she has tried to engage with the bank, who had legal representation from Joynt and Crawford.
The woman explained that this was her family home and she had lived there for 32 years. She is a mother and grandmother. She obtained a second mortgage after her divorce. “If I live to be 120, that mortgage won’t be paid,” she said.
The woman said that she had appealed for a mortgage to rent qualification and was told that the bank may consider this option if she takes in people to rent in her three bedroomed home. The woman said that she had a job and cuts to her salary in recent years had affected her ability to pay back the mortgage.
“I am asking for time. It is my family home and I am asking for time to consider, to arrange a realistic repayment,’ she said.
Her case was adjourned until January.
LAND LEAGUE QUERIES
Topic was contacted before going to press this week by representatives of the National Land League, who stated that since Michael Davitt, who was Land League founder was also an original patron of the GAA, they felt it was wrong for a GAA building to be used as a court house and for a repossessions court, evicting people from their homes.
“We contacted GAA headquarters about it, but they referred us to Westmeath GAA and said it was a matter for the local organisation, ” a Land League spokesman said.
When Topic made enquiries from sources within the St. Loman’s Club about the situation, we were informed that in letting their building for use as a temporary court building, there were already precedents, as the same thing had happened with a GAA hall in Tullamore, used for courts, and in Longford also. They were within the objectives of their association, as the courts system is a state agency.
