Northern Ireland

Protest at bank as fallout from Strokestown eviction continues

Anti eviction protestors at a Dublin bank yesterday.
Anti eviction protestors at a Dublin bank yesterday. Anti eviction protestors at a Dublin bank yesterday.

Demonstrators accompanied by a number of TDs have carried a coffin into a Dublin bank in protest at how evictions are being carried out in the Republic.

The coffin, which was branded with the words 'We must think inside the box', was placed on a counter inside KBC Bank's Baggot Street branch on Thursday.

It comes as two people were arrested in connection with a dawn raid on a farmhouse in Strokestown in Co Roscommon.

Eight bailiffs removed Anthony McGann, his brother David and sister Geraldine from their home last Tuesday.

The family had been evicted over unpaid debts to KBC Bank and the bailiffs had been hired from Northern Ireland.

On Sunday morning a large mob attacked the security men who were guarding the property and set fire to vehicles, a guard dog injured in the incident later had to be put down.

Among the protestors at yesterday's demonstration were TDs Mattie McGrath, Michael Collins, and Carol Nolan.

Offaly TD Carol Nolan said the way the McGann family were treated in Roscommon "was nothing short of a national disgrace".

"For every Irish person it's a stain on our society and shameful that such as thing is occurring", she said.

"It has to stop. It was the Irish taxpayers who bailed them out and it seems they've forgotten that.

West Cork TD Michael Collins added: "We have to have an understanding that people won't be pulled out by the top of their ears, that maybe happened a hundred years ago.

"It shouldn't happen today, it has happened, and I think Leo Varadkar has to stand up and be accountable to the people."

KBC have so far declined to comment.