Bank-appointed receiver seeks to end unlawful possession of property by campaigners against homelessness

The court heard the property, which the receiver wants to sell, has been occupied as part of "a politically motivated campaign" highlighting the current homelessness situation.

The application seeking vacant possession of the premises at 76 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 has been brought by insolvency practitioner Mr Declan Taite who was appointed as receiver over the property by AIB in 2013.

Mr Taite claims the property has been occupied by persons unknown since early September who have no lawful right to be on the premises.

The court heard agents for the receiver, who had been inspecting the property on a regular basis, first noticed the locks had been changed and that persons had moved into the property around September 6 last.

The receivers' agents have been unable to gain access to the property due to some sort of a blockade placed behind the door.

Persons had been seen inside and around the building but have not identified themselves, the receiver also claims.

A banner with the words "Pearse Street Occupation" written on it has also been placed outside the building the court heard.

As a result of the occupation, Mr Taite seeks various orders directing those in the premises to cease trespassing and that they give up vacant possession of the property.

At the High Court today Ms Justice Caroline Costello granted lawyers for the receiver, on an ex parte basis, permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the occupants of the premises.

The Judge adjourned the matter to a date next week.

The application is the latest in a series of High Court actions brought against persons occupying what had been vacant in central Dublin as part of a campaign to highlight Ireland's homeless and accommodation crisis.