Courts / Dublin / Report

Four arrested for contempt of court over order to vacate apartments

Date
2020-05-26

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Four men were arrested and brought before the High Court for alleged contempt of court orders to vacate repossessed properties at Fairview Avenue, Dublin 3. The properties, acquired by businessman Jerry Beades in 2002, are subject to lengthy proceedings. Everyday Finance DAC, which holds the loans, obtained orders in November 2019 for vacant possession by January 31. In March, the company alleged persons remained in breach. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds heard the cases of Eamon Hunt, Dean Gilroy, and Polish tradesmen Aleksander Jerzy Wianowski and Michal Grochowicki. Mr Hunt, who had lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal that was refused a stay, admitted he was aware of the deadline. Mr Gilroy stated he had lived there since February. The two tradesmen, who claimed ignorance of the legal issues, were found in dilapidated conditions. After the judge outlined the seriousness of the situation and the possibility of incarceration, all four men gave sworn undertakings not to return to the properties. Arrangements were made for the return of their personal belongings, and the tradesmen were relocated to Co Meath. The matter was effectively resolved through these undertakings. Separate contempt proceedings against Mr Beades, who denies breaching orders, were previously adjourned due to the pandemic and will return before the court at a later date.