Shooting the messenger in gazumping showdown

The IAVI's president Gerry Slattery was in combative mood at their annual bash in Jury's Hotel last Friday night, when he attempted to deflect blame for gazumping from the country's auctioneers. He described gazumping as a blight on the property market and pointed the finger at "some" journalists who, he said, should know better than to "tug at the heartstrings of unfortunate people in distress". Instead of trying to find scapegoats, perhaps Mr Slattery should be urging his members to follow the example of one of their colleagues in Meath and withdraw their services when a housebuilder puts up prices overnight after taking deposits from buyers. The function was marked by longer than usual speeches that attracted little attention among the revellers who were intent on celebrating a record year in property.