Sandra O’Brien ordered arrested over alleged contempt of court

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court ordered Sandra O’Brien to be arrested and brought before the court to answer an allegation of contempt on 17 May 2022. Mr Justice Alexander Owens made the order over her alleged failure to comply with an undertaking to leave Church Hill estate in Tullamore, Co Offaly, by 10am that day.

Garret Flynn, counsel for the estate’s receiver, said an inspection that day showed the caravan had moved from one part of the estate to another. He said its licence plate had been removed, but his client was satisfied it was Ms O’Brien’s caravan.

At an earlier hearing, Ms O’Brien said her family had “nowhere to go” and she feared for her children’s safety if they had to live by the side of the road. She said they had sought a house from the local council, had not been provided with accommodation and would be happy to leave Church Hill if given a house.

Mr Justice Owens said he was satisfied that Ms O’Brien had understood what would happen if she breached her undertaking. She was neither present nor represented at the 17 May hearing.