Bitter tensions over Co Laois property allegedly used to house international protection applicants – The Irish Times

A bitter dispute over the alleged use of a property in Co Laois to accommodate international protection applicants has come before the High Court.

Nera Investments Limited, which occupies the Portarlington building, launched a lawsuit last month claiming people living there were “physically and verbally assaulted” when representatives of the owners “forced their way in”. He claims that the building’s owners failed to honor the contract for the sale of the building.

On the other hand, property owners Anne and Francis Lawlor claim that Nera Investments has not paid rent since August 2023 and is operating an “illegal” business. International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) Without the consent of the center or the necessary permission from IPAS, which is administered by the Ministry of Integration.

While claims of inaccuracy are completely denied by everyone, the alleged facts are also disputed.

Nera’s lawsuit asks the court to grant an injunction restraining Lawyers or their representatives from being on the property or interfering with “residents.”

Nera, whose office is in Cross Street, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, was granted permission to occupy the property at The Glen, Kilmacourt Wood, as a tenant in November 2022. It is stated that the parties reached an agreement to purchase this property in July 2023. The property was purchased from Lawlors for €215,000.

The company’s manager, Noel Martin, claims in his statement that the sale was not completed until the closing date of August 18, 2023. Almost a year later, on August 7, 2024, the company issued a notice requesting that the sale be completed within 28 days, but Lawyers said it did not comply.

Mr Martin said the Lawlors’ agents attempted to change the locks on the property last June and “broke in” on the property last October 11. It alleges residents were “physically and verbally assaulted” during this “dangerous and disturbing” incident, which is being investigated by gardaí.

In her responding statement, Ms Lawlor said she was “surprised” Nera had brought this case and that it would be “a great injustice” if the court granted the company an injunction. In fact, he said, it was he and his co-defendant who needed “urgent” court intervention due to the “dangerous situation” at the property.

Ms Lawlor claims brothers Noel Martin jnr and Darren Martin are the beneficial owners of shares in the Nera group, which she says has a contract with the State to house up to 100 asylum seekers at the East End Hotel in Portarlington. Their father, Noel Martin, claims that he “de facto controls” the group, despite having no official position in Nera companies.

Ms. Lawlor said Nera’s affidavit was written by Noel Martin Jr. by or Noel Martin Jr. He said he did not know whether it was given by or not. However, in another file, it was announced that Noel Martin Jr. swore to the document.

He said Mr Martin snr was the subject of a bankruptcy petition by the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) and was being prosecuted last June for breaching a court order not to contact a couple who had sued him and Darren Martin. ownership of a garage that the couple used to keep an alligator and other exotic pets.

He claims the Martins “charged the State (international protection applicants) more than they could accommodate in the hotel”, so they needed extra space, including his own property, to accommodate the numbers they had contracted for.

He said he was aware of “a few” properties in Portarlington equipped with bunk beds to accommodate asylum seekers.

Nera Investments said it had “turned our property into an illegal IPAS centre”, which housed up to 16 asylum seekers “without our consent” and without the approval of IPAS, contrary to planning legislation.

Ms Lawlor said last October 30 Laois County Council launched an enforcement scheme for “heavy use without permission” of her property. He claims he was warned that he would face a fine of up to €12.7 million or two years in prison, despite not having control of the property.

Ms Lawlor said Nera had been asked to vacate the premises and had not paid any rent since August 2023 and was trespassing. He said he was now in mortgage debt.

He said the deposit check for the sale of the property was returned and the transaction was not completed because Nera could not agree on a closing date. He claimed Noel Martin’s statement distorted the true version of events, while his accounts of events at the property last June and October were “inaccurate and will be disputed at trial”.

The case came before Mr Justice Oisín Quinn on Monday. Lawlors’ lawyer, Ruaidhrí Giblin, asked for a two-week adjournment to respond to other allegations made by Nera.

The judge postponed the case for three weeks.