NEIGBOURS GATHER AS RECEIVERS RETURN TO BURNCOURT BUSINESS
A beleagured Margaret Hanrahan of Burncourt Equestrian Centre in south Tipperary had yet another encounter with appointed receivers at her home on Wednesday of this week.
The receivers, who were first appointed in July, arrived at the property in Burncourt at 10.10am on this Wednesday, August 31st. Margaret was not on site at the time and claimed that she was informed of their arrival by local gardai.
“I was only notified yesterday that they would be arriving this morning, so I only had a couple of hours to get the horses out. This time around they were not aggressive but I’m still very intimidated.”
BLOCKED ACCESS
The gardai and receivers blocked off access to the property as many neighbours gathered in support of Margaret with one lady, who wished to remain anonymous, expressing her opinion to The Avondhu.
“It’s like Cromwell all over again, except this time they’re doing it to their own people. They would tear you apart before they’d do it to the banks.”
Margaret Hanrahan and her supporters dug trenches surrounding the property in an attempt to keep the receivers from ploughing her land.
“We couldn’t keep them off the land,” Margaret told The Avondhu.
“They’re in ploughing the fields as we speak. They had their own equipment and they were able to close the trenches. I’m sitting here in my car on my own and too frightened to even go into my own house. All my friends are outside trying to get in to keep me company. I called the gardai and asked them to come to me as I am frightened and no one has come up to me yet.”
OWES THE MONEY
Ms Hanrahan does not dispute the fact that she owes money to the bank but believes receivers haven’t treated people justly.
“I know I owe money but I feel what they’re doing is not right. I spoke to my solicitor who believes they are breaking the law as they are trespassing. This is a very fearful experience. Margaret alleges that weapons were used as a means of intimidation when the receivers first arrived on August 15.
“The group who came included some carrying weapons. One had a large club, another a screwdriver. They threatened to cause eye and head injuries. I am and was terrified, I did not know that people could carry weapons, ” she alleged this week.
€1.2M LOAN
Problems initially arose when Ms Hanrahan decided to expand her business by purchasing land for an equestrian centre. She requested a loan of €1.2 million which was granted on the strength of sale of some other properties that she owned.
Margaret then discovered problems with her newly acquired land and also found it very difficult to sell the properties.
“One of them hadn’t sold within the 2 year timeframe and ACC came looking for their money,” she told The Avondhu.
The Avondhu submitted a request to the receivers for a comment on the issue but had not received a response at the time of going to press.
Published:
Tuesday 6th September 11:26am
