"Significant risk" to public after alleged occupation of building housing council water lab, court told

The High Court has heard that orders directing the vacation of a Letterkenny building housing Donegal County Council's water testing laboratory have not been complied with. Mr Justice Tony O'Connor was told the premises remain occupied despite High Court orders issued the previous week. The building's occupation poses significant risks to public safety, the court was informed. Lawyers for a bank-appointed receiver argued that occupiers have threatened to dispose of hazardous chemicals used in the laboratory, potentially endangering the public. The council's inability to access the premises and conduct water quality testing also presents a substantial risk to the environment and public health. The receiver sought the orders following an alleged occupation by approximately twenty people who changed locks and erected barricades. Mr Justice O'Connor issued directions for one of the alleged occupiers to be arrested by An Garda Síochána and brought before the court for alleged contempt. Neither of the defendants appeared to contest the receiver's application.