This morning (11.30am)
Anna Kavanagh, Of Athlone Community Radio, reporting on the latest developments from Strokestown, County Roscommon
Anna writes
Reliable sources tell me Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is going to Roscommon and the men arrested yesterday may be questioned by Gardai for up to seven days
Earlier: The Other Guys
This afternoon.
Anna Kavanagh describes the latest developments from Strokestown, County Roscommon and the condition of the retired Garda injured during last week’s eviction.
Anna also reveals that solicitors acting for the family claim there was no “valid court order in place” for the farmhouse’s repossession.
Earlier: Reporting From A ‘Land Grab’
Watch: Drone footage of Roscommon incident aftermath (RTÉ)
Pic via RTE
Update:
Mari Maxwell writes:
‘A considerable presence, of Gardai have returned to the property and the family is now awaiting the arrival of a solicitor.’
Update:
8pm update:
Anna reads a prepared statement from the family.
9.30pm update:
Anna says there are now “well over 100” neighbours at the house as a ‘mark of solidarity’ to the family.
After midnight update:
Anna interviews Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice who raised the eviction in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, in the Dáil last Wednesday.
1.06am update:
Anna speaks to Jerry O’Boyle, from Mayo, who said he’s been at a number of other evictions and recalled a farmer who took his life after he was threatened with eviction.
Anna, who has been at the home for 12 hours, also says she’s been invited into the house where the eviction took place and is going to sleep there tonight.
She said she’ll report live on Facebook if “anything happens”.
Yesterday morning and all last week.
Anna Kavanagh, from Longford, who volunteers with Athlone Community Radio, reported via Facebook on events from Strokestown, County Roscommon.
Her videos here, here and here have had close to a million views so far.
Further to this…
Last night Anna posted a letter she wrote to the Irish Farmers Journal in 2016 about the difficulties that farmers are facing when it comes to meeting their loan repayments.
Anna writes::
I predicted in April 2016 that we were about to see a land grab in Ireland not seen since Cromwell and I called on the Government to put a contingency plan in place to prevent this happening.
I’m very shaken by what has happened in Roscommon this week and my reporting from the scene of the eviction has taken its toll on me. I do not want to see any further breakdown of the rule of law and order in this country. We are a democracy and I believe in the power of the ballot box.
I’m pleading to Leo Varadkar, Charlie Flanagan and Drew Harris to restore the rule of law to the courts, the Gardai and the body politic because history teaches us that the alternative is anarchy. I’m unable to respond to all the requests for the moment and I appeal that you continue to keep your comments respectful.
Many thanks to you for reading and for your support.
Thanks Johnny Keenan
UPDATE:
Anna writes:
“I’m live on air at 3.20pm to bring you breaking news from Roscommon eviction. You can listen live on the net at this link. Please share and let others know.”
