Court archive
Court reports mentioning Keenagh, Longford
2016-07-28 · Longford
An application to commit to prison the father of a family accused of unlawfully occupying a local authority house in Kenagh, Co Longford, was adjourned by the High Court on Thursday. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan deferred the contempt of court proceedings until September, expressing hope that an appointed intermediary could facilitate resolution of the dispute involving John Paul Doyle, his wife Frances, their children, and Longford County Council. In May, the court ordered the family to vacate a three-bedroom property at Casey Court, Kenagh, which they had occupied and secured by changing locks. The Council offered alternative four-bedroom accommodation at Stonepark, along with increased rent allowance and safety improvements, which the family declined, citing proximity to garage fumes and health concerns for children with respiratory conditions. Mr Doyle maintained the offered house was unsuitable. The judge declined to jail Mr Doyle, finding it would serve no purpose, but reaffirmed that the family must vacate Kenagh. The matter will be reviewed in six weeks.
2016-05-26 · Longford
The High Court directed the Doyle family to vacate a vacant council house at Casey Court, Kenagh, Co Longford, which they occupied without permission. Longford County Council secured orders against John Paul Doyle, his wife Frances, and their children after the family refused alternative accommodation offered just outside Longford. Mr. Doyle alleged the proposed four-bedroom house was unsuitable due to its proximity to a busy road and a garage, and claimed the family was treated differently because they are members of the Traveller Community. Counsel for the Council rejected these allegations, stating the Kenagh house could not be offered under housing guidelines. Mr. Justice Paul Gilligan acknowledged the family's admission that they had no right to occupy the Kenagh property but urged them to reconsider the council's offer. The case was adjourned for an hour. Upon resumption, the Doyles maintained their refusal, with Mrs. Doyle citing safety concerns and Mr. Doyle stating he was prepared to face imprisonment to secure housing. The judge imposed an eight-week stay on the order, hoping for a negotiated accommodation arrangement. Mr. Doyle indicated he may appeal the decision. The family, who have been on the housing list for two years, remain unrepresented.
2016-05-10 · Longford
A family of seven facing High Court proceedings to remove them from a vacant council house in Kenagh, County Longford, has rejected alternative accommodation offered by the local authority. John Paul Doyle, his wife Frances, and their five children occupy the three-bedroom property at 21 Casey Court without permission. Longford County Council seeks an injunction to evict them, citing a housing list of over 1,220 applicants. The council offered a four-bedroom privately-owned house near Longford Town with reduced rent support of €42 weekly, compared to €90 for council housing. The family declined, stating the property lacked a rear garden and proximity to a busy road made it unsuitable. The Doyles, unrepresented in court, acknowledged wrongdoing but said circumstances left them without alternatives after their previous landlord reclaimed his property. They have been on the housing list for approximately two years. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan adjourned the matter to later in May.
2016-04-26 · Longford
Longford County Council sought a High Court injunction to remove a family of seven from a council house at Casey Court, Kenagh, which they had occupied without permission. The council told the court it has no suitable accommodation available for John Paul Doyle, his wife Frances, and their five children, noting that a three-bedroom property is not deemed appropriate for a family of that size. The council's housing list contains over 1,200 applicants, and the family had been waiting two years for housing. The Doyles acknowledged entering the property wrongfully but stated they had exhausted other options after their previous landlord reclaimed a rented home. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan expressed concern about the family being rendered homeless and adjourned the matter to May to allow both parties to explore private rental accommodation. The judge urged cooperation between the council and the family, noting the council had approved them for rent allowance.
2016-04-19 · Longford
Longford County Council has initiated High Court proceedings against a couple alleged to have occupied a vacant council property without authorisation. John Paul and Frances Doyle are claimed to have moved into a house at Casey Court, Keenagh, Co Longford several days prior to the court application. The Council seeks orders for possession of the property and an injunction preventing the defendants from entering the premises without lawful permission. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted the Council permission to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings on Tuesday. The judge adjourned the matter for one week. The Council submitted that urgency attaches to the case as the property has been offered to another family on the local housing list. It was stated that the locks had been changed following the couple's entry. Both respondents are on the local authority's housing list.