Not moving from ‘my own house’

KILLALOE gardaí have confirmed they will take no further action against a retired businessman who has occupied his house in a local ghost estate, despite the absence of electricity, running water and sanitary services.

Caherconlish resident, John Ryan Senior, risked the wrath of AIB and its receiver, KPMG, by ignoring 24-hour security on Monday when he moved into his detached house at Ard na Deirge, Killaloe, which he has been “locked out” of for more than seven years.

Fed up waiting for the final completion of the sale of the estate and the connection of services, the 68-year-old ignored warnings he was trespassing on private property by entering his home on Monday afternoon.

Before he took up occupancy, he produced land registry title deeds and relevant documentation at Killaloe Garda Station and told the gardaí he was taking possession of his house at Ard na Deirge, which he owns.

Mr Ryan insists he was not advised by gardaí at the time that he was engaging in any type of illegal activity.
Later that afternoon, he was visited by gardaí, who requested him to leave following a call about an alleged trespasser in a house in the estate.

However, Mr Ryan stated he had no intention of leaving as he had already produced the necessary documentation showing he owned the house.

He said if the people who called the gardaí produced documentation to show they owned the house, then he would consider his position. Gardaí left his house without taking any action.

AIB declined to comment on an individual case, while the receiver hadn’t responded to queries at the time of going to press.

Inspector John O’Sullivan from Killaloe Garda Station stated gardaí would not be arresting Mr Ryan, as this is a civil matter between the relevant parties and said he isn’t going to act as judge between both sides in the absence of a court order.

Acknowledging this is a very unusual position for gardaí to deal with, Inspector O’Sullivan said he was satisfied Mr Ryan hadn’t engaged in an act of “criminal trespass”.

John Ryan Senior and his son, John Ryan Junior, purchased two neighbouring houses in 2006 and the former had intended to retire in Killaloe after running a hairdressing franchise business in Limerick and his native Clonmel.

Following electricity connection in November 2008, John Ryan Junior was about to move into his new home when the site was closed by AIB and it took him more than six months to get these services disconnected.
John Ryan Senior said he felt he had no option but to bring matters to a head after spending more than seven years in frustrating limbo.

“If the estate owners can produce title deeds to my house, I will consider my position, but I believe they can’t. I have no intention of leaving come hell or high water. Two people can’t own the same property,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Michelle Burke, 33, and William Buck, 33, who are still renting a house in Ballina, Killaloe, paid a ­booking deposit on a house at Ard na Deirge, Killaloe on September 7, 2006 and were about to move in in December 2009 when a receiver from KPMG was appointed by AIB after the original developer ran into serious financial difficulties.

Ms Burke said that they would continue to work closely with Clare County Council to secure occupancy of their house.