Judge issues bench warrant for anti-eviction activist Charles Allen

A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of the anti-eviction activist Charles Allen who, along with a number of others, are alleged to have trespassed on and illegally occupied a Co Kildare stud farm.

Mr Justice Sean Ryan yesterday ruled Charles Allen should be arrested and brought before the High Court to answer claims he is in contempt of court orders in respect of 120 acres of land at Kennycourt Stud, Naas, in Co Kildare.

Counsel for the receivers said Mr Allen stated the farm was now the property of an entity called the Rodolphus Allen Family Private Trust. Mr Allen, counsel said, had being approaching people around the country who had difficulties with banks or had judgments registered against them.

In an attempt to avoid losing their properties, people signed over their properties to an entity created by Mr Allen. The trust, which counsel said is a “legal fabrication”, then granted the signatries a 999 year lease over the same properties.

Joint receivers
Joint receivers Mark Reynolds and Glenn Crann, who were were appointed over the property owned by Mr McDermott in 2011, began proceedings against Mr Allen and two others who they say have breached court orders not to trespass or interfere with the receivership.

Earlier this month the High Court made similar orders directing anti-eviction campaigner Ben Gilroy and the stud farm owner Eugene McDermott be brought before the court to answer their alleged contempt. The warrants for their arrest have yet to be executed by the Garda.

Anglo Irish Bank appointed Mr Crann and Mr Reynolds, of Savills Ireland, as receivers over the lands arising out of Mr McDermott’s failure to repay €814,000 owed to the bank.

The receivers claim all three are involved with “a mob” who in late August forced the receiver’s agents off the lands. The receivers were kept off the property, which they wish to sell, until Wednesday of this week when they retook possession.

Due to the alleged breach of the court orders, the receivers applied to have all three brought before the court to answer their alleged contempt.

None of the men has attended court since the receivers began proceedings against Mr Gilroy, of Navan, Co Meath, a candidate in last March’s Meath East byelection, Mr Allen, c/o PO Box 2, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, and Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, and Mr McDermott, of Kennycourt Stud.

Yesterday barrister Michael Howard SC, for the receivers, said Mr Justice Brian McGovern previously issued bench warrants and ordered the arrest of Mr McDermott and Mr Gilroy. Judge McGovern also ruled they be brought before the court to answer their alleged contempt, counsel added.

Last Monday Mr Allen was personally served with the relevant legal documentation at a Co Wexford Hotel, counsel said.

"Mob"
Counsel said the action arose after a "mob" of more than 100 people led by Mr Allen and Mr Gilroy took possession of the stud farm on August 31st last. Mr Allen, counsel said, was photographed cutting locks, placed by the receiver's security staff, put on gates at the stud farm.

Mr Justice Ryan ordered that Mr Allen be arrested and brought before the court to answer the claim he has breached court orders.