Ktech Security wins court order against anti-eviction protest

A security company has secured a temporary High Court order preventing several anti-eviction activists organising a protest at the All Ireland Country Music Awards ceremony at Dublin's Citywest Hotel later this month.

Ktech Security secured the orders against several individuals whom it alleges are involved in anti-eviction groups who, the court heard, have issues with the security company's alleged involvement in evictions.

Ktech’s proceedings are against defendants allegedly involved in organisations called “The Land League”, “The Hub” and “The Anti- Eviction Group”.

The court heard the planned protest is against Ktech, who will be providing security at the awards ceremony on January 26th.

The company, which provides various security services, including security at properties taken into possession by insolvency practitioners, claims the proposed protest is part of a campaign aimed at damaging its business.

‘Threats and intimidation’

Ktech also claims its employees and directors have been subjected to threats and intimidation on social media and alleges anti-eviction campaigners have published malicious and defamatory falsehoods about it on the internet.

The injunction was granted by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan following an application by Robert Beatty BL for Ktech, with headquarters listed at Walkinstown Avenue.

The injunction prevents the defendants and all other parties with notice of the order from promoting and assisting with the organisation of what Ktech claims would be an unlawful protest at the Citywest Hotel on the night of the awards ceremony.

The court was told the hotel was informed by various groups there would be a peaceful protest at the ceremony to highlight Ktech’s involvement in the eviction of Irish people from their homes and, if the protestors got a promise from the company to desist from this type of work, the protest would not proceed.

Ktech claims this is an attempt to intimidate, bully and put maximum pressure on Citywest. Mr Beatty also described the language expressed about the company on anti-evictions social media as “clearly violent and bigoted in nature”, including references to the fact it employs many non-nationals.

Ktech denies it has ever engaged in violent or unprofessional behaviour during the course of its business, as alleged by anti-eviction groups. It also denied claims it has been involved in “the violent evictions of families from their homes or farms”.

Mr Justice Gilligan granted the temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis and will return to the matter later this week.