A Traveller has claimed in the Dublin District Court that he is the owner of land worth millions of euro because "I am 20 years there and I am claiming that land as my own".
David Joyce, who operates a tyre and car parts business, insisted he owns the 10 acres (4.04 hectares) at Dunsink Lane between Finglas and Castleknock, west Dublin. His son Wayne Joyce (19) was convicted of obstructing gardaí chasing a motorcycle hijacker through the Dunsink lands.
The 10 acres are part of a larger 42-acre parcel mainly occupied by trader Travellers at Scribblestown and legally owned by Joan Forbes-Majoli, who has been served with a compulsory purchase order for the local authority to take it over. The entire holding is worth in the region of €8 million.
Defence counsel argued that gardaí had no legal right to be on the property which Mr Joyce claimed "possessory title" to by virtue of uninterrupted occupation. He had instructed lawyers to stake his claim to it. "I don't have title yet but I am not going anywhere. I am not leaving."
Wayne Joyce (19) was remanded on bail to April to pay €500 to the Garda Benevolent Fund. If it is paid, he will be given the Probation Act.