High Court president orders release of ex-Garda
The President of the High Court has ordered the release from prison of an ex-Garda and landlord who was jailed over his "flagrant breach" of undertakings given by him to the High Court concerning a property deemed a fire risk by Dublin City Council.
Last week, High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns committed Kevin Galvin to prison for six weeks after the Council complained another undertaking previously given by Mr Galvin to vacate his property at 73 Cabra Park, Dublin, of all its residents were not complied with.
Today however the Judge, after being informed that the premises has now been vacated, said he was satisfied that Mr Galvin had purged his contempt made an order releasing him from jail.
Mr Galvin also apologised to the court and said that he would fully comply with any orders made by the court both now and in the future.
While Mr Galvin's contempt was "most serious" the judge said that as the undertaking had no been complied with and given the time of year, and that Mr Galvin was a married man with two young children, he was disposed to making an order for his release.
The judge also ordered that the premises not be used again until all the relevant fire safety requirement had been complied with.
Dublin City Council sought the committal order on the basis of alleged continued failures by Mr Galvin, Furrypark Road, Killester to comply with undertakings given to the court.
The court heard that on Tuesday of last week Fire Safety officials found four people living in flats in 73 Cabra Park which was considered a dangerous fire hazard.
The four, three adults and a child, were in the building despite the court being told a few days previously it had been vacated, the Council said.
