New Land League holds candlelit vigil outside Roscommon Courthouse

Members of the New Land League held a candlelight vigil outside Roscommon Courthouse yesterday to support homeowners under financial pressure.

The New Land League West event included a decade of the rosary in memory of those who have died through suicide as a result of the loss of their homes.

The group gathered outside the courthouse as a gesture of solidarity with hard-pressed homeowners who had been battling to hold on to their family homes following the collapse of the economy, spokesman Gerry O’Boyle said.

“The vigil and prayers are for the families who have lost their family homes or who face losing their homes,” he said.

“It’s also for the families of people who have lost their lives through suicide over the last year, because it is a big issue in Co Roscommon and in other counties across the west of Ireland.”

A total of 97 civil bills for repossession of homes were before the court in Roscommon. Mr O’Boyle said his group was struggling to cope with the number of families and individuals seeking help and support.

The most recent figures from the Courts Service show that there were a total of 7,101 civil bills for repossession of homes across the country still active at the end of last year. Orders were granted in 1,063 cases during 2014.

A total of 926 civil bills are awaiting judgment in the Circuit Civil Courts in the west on homes in the five Connacht counties.

If you need someone to talk to, freephone Samaritans on 116123.