Gardaí entered an occupied building on Berkeley Road Phibsboro County Dublin last night to enforce a High Court order that the property be vacated.
RHL activists are currently under siege by over 80 Gardaí and a helicopter on Berkeley Road in Phibsoro at the latest building taken back to house the homeless. The cops broke in at 11pm and activists are on the roof as we speak pic.twitter.com/J5OF2oGrVU
— Revolutionary Housing League (@rhlireland) July 11, 2023
Last May the High Court granted an injunction in favour of the Cabhrú Housing Association ordering that a number of “unknown persons” reportedly 46 migrants vacate the building which is due to be developed as a housing project for older people.
The development which was to provide 35 housing units had been scheduled to start several years ago but was interrupted by the covid pandemic.
Cabhrú claimed that they have not been able to gain access to the building since last May, raising concerns that the building was unsafe as the fire alarm appeared to have been cut.
It was also claimed that there was no gas supply to the building and that the electrical supply had been stopped with the exception of the security alarm.
The entire street outside has been closed off. This sort of massive Garda operation to prevent empty buildings being used is an utter disgrace and a great example of how this state values property over the people of Ireland. pic.twitter.com/vtI2cLTdom
— Revolutionary Housing League (@rhlireland) July 11, 2023
On the 6th of July Justice Conor Dignam granted an order for attachment and committal of those occupying the building having been satisfied that all in occupation were aware of the order to vacate and that every effort had been made to identify them.
The court had previously declined to issue orders for attachment and committal in favour of Cabhrú as there was reportedly a lack of evidence as to the identities of those in occupation.
Gardaí were dispatched to the address at James McSweeney House, Berkeley Street, Dublin and entered the building, arresting a number of people.
The Revolutionary Housing League, who were behind the occupation of the building, said that the “operation to prevent empty buildings being used is an utter disgrace and a great example of how this state values property over the people of Ireland,”
Gardaí told Gript that a total of four people were arrested at the scene, two women and two men, and are to be brought before the High Court Criminal Courts of Justice later today.