Vacant property allegedly taken over by people on housing list

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.