Occupy group to leave building if requested

The group behind the occupation of a vacant building in the city has promised to hand back the keys if a ruling is made against them next Monday. The occupants of Stapleton House on Oliver Plunkett Street who established Cork City Centre (CCC) Community Resource Centre at the site, outlined that they will accept Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin’s decision and co-operate. The building’s owners took legal steps this week, with the counsel for Padlake Ltd. applying for an interlocutory injunction at Cork Circuit Court due to concerns over health and safety issues, after members of the public visited the building for a céilí recently.

Judge Ó Donnabháin adjourned the case until Monday for a full hearing of Padlake’s application. CCC spokesperson, Liam Mullaney explained that he has also prepared affidavits, which were supplied to the plaintiff’s solicitor yesterday, Thursday. “We have no money but we have been given quite a lot of free advice,” he said.

He added that if a decision was made against CCC next week, the group would still continue their plans to establish a charitable organisation within the city. Mr Mullaney added that they would be seeking to enter negotiations with NAMA in the future to secure another building under the social dividend.