Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21054Trespass (unlawful occupation) · Co. Dublin · 12 May 2023

High Court orders occupiers to vacate James McSweeney House, Dublin

Unknown persons are reported to have broken into James McSweeney House on Berkeley Street, Dublin, on 12 May 2023. The building had been vacated three years earlier so the Cabhrú Housing Association could redevelop it into 35 homes for older people. On Thursday, reported on 18 May 2023, Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy in the High Court granted Cabhrú an injunction requiring the occupiers to vacate within seven days, and stayed the order for seven days. The case will return to court in a week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The High Court granted Cabhrú Housing Association an injunction requiring people who had taken over a Dublin building to vacate it within seven days.
Where
The premises are James McSweeney House on Berkeley Street, Dublin.
When
Unknown persons broke into the premises on 12 May 2023.
Cause
  • The building was vacated three years earlier so Cabhrú could redevelop it into 35 homes for older people.
  • The redevelopment was delayed by the pandemic and rising building costs, and Cabhrú construction is due to start next year.
In court
  • The case came before Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy on a Thursday, with Padraig Drummond appearing for the persons unknown defendants.
  • The judge granted the order but stayed it for seven days, and the case will return to court in a week.
Charges
This is a civil case, not a criminal prosecution, and no one is named.
Other details
  • The court heard there were serious safety concerns, as gas and water had been cut off and the only electrical connection served the alarm.
  • Cabhrú said the fire alarm also appeared to have been cut.
  • Mr Drummond said he had been advocating for 46 people, described as migrants, living in the building for the past week.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe High Court granted an injunction requiring people who had taken over a building in Dublin to vacate it within seven days. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe premises are James McSweeney House on Berkeley Street, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenUnknown persons broke into the premises on May 12. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe building was vacated three years ago so that Cabhrú could redevelop it into 35 homes for older citizens. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case came before Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy on Thursday, with Padraig Drummond appearing for the persons unknown defendants. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCabhrú Housing Association was granted the order. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge granted the order but stayed it for seven days, and the case will return to court in a week. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe court heard there were serious concerns about safety in the building. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGas and water had been cut off, and the only electrical connection was for the alarm. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Drummond said he had been advocating for 46 migrants living in the building for the past week. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 May2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    High Court gives migrants one week to vacate Dublin city building

    Reports the High Court injunction hearing before Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy, the seven-day stay, the 46 people living in the building, and the safety concerns raised. This is a civil case, not a criminal prosecution, and no one is named.

    suspect