Occupy squatters plan to be 'an example to the country'
22.02.12
The group occupying Stapleton House on Oliver Plunkett Street plans to "squat legally" in the building and has set up a limited company in order to achieve this, according to a spokesperson.
Despite a visit on Tuesday from a representative of the building's owner along with the Gardaí, resulting in a confrontation with members of the group, they will remain in situ.
A number of Occupy Cork protesters are among the group squatting in the six-storey 2,300sqm building. They plan to turn it into a community resource centre, says spokesperson Liam Mullaney, who said he hoped it would be "an example to the rest of the country".
However, they may be removed from the property if the owner of the building seeks a court order.
Other members of the original Occupy Cork movement remain at Grand Parade / South Mall and are not part of the new group.
A representative of the owner visited the property on Tuesday accompanied by gardaí, according to Mr Mullaney, who said he acted in “a very rude and aggressive manner”. Gardaí did not attempt to remove the squatters, who say they did not use force to enter the building.
Source: Cork Independent