This morning, the developer behind the troubled Priory Hall complex in Donaghmede, north Dublin was in the High Court, trying to reverse NAMA’s seizure of his €10m former home on upmarket Ailesbury Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Thomas McFeely (Tom McFeely) was ultimately evicted at the behest of NAMA on 10th August 2012 but was back in court this morning claiming, according to 98FM “my wife and family are out of the family home on the basis of an officer of the Court telling lies”
The case this morning was adjourned until Tuesday 30th October 2012, according to 98FM to allow Tom obtain new legal representation as it seems he has parted company with his former lawyer, on account of “financial reasons” but this morning’s hearing might be best remembered for Tom’s claim, reported by 98FM that “he’d been lied to, and held up a photograph of a house he says NAMA lawyers told him he could go and live in. He showed the photo to the Court asking, “Does anyone want to see this?””
NAMA was asked for a comment but none was available at time of writing. For the 250 residents of Priory Hall who are living in a mishmash of temporary accommodation facing an uncertain future as regards living arrangements but alas a certain future with mortgage payments, this claim has obviously rankled – that NAMA might provide Tom McFeely with accommodation. It should be said that the loan underpinning the PrioryHall complex was not acquired by NAMA and that NAMA has provided temporary accommodation on a commercial arms-length basis to some of the forcibly evacuated residents who continue to face a grim future.
If a comment from NAMA is forthcoming, it will be posted here.
UPDATE: 23rd October, 2012. NAMA has denied Tom McFeely’s claim “completely”
UPDATE: 30th October 2012. The case returned to the High Court this morning and despite Tom McFeely seeking a longer adjournment, the case has now been scheduled for an hour loong hearing on 19th November 2012, with NAMA saying the matter was urgent because it was preventing the sale by the Agency of the property on Ailesbury Road. NAMA is reported to have described the appeal as “entirely unmeritorious”
UPDATE: 19th November 2012. RTE reports that the High Court has dismissed the McFeely appeal in what appear quite summary terms. RTE says the judge, Mr Justice John Hedigan had commented this morning that it was an “open and shut case”
I really hope this is not true. It’s inconceivable that the state would drag the residents of Priory Hall through the courts to remove the temporary accomodation they are in while also providing accomodation to the man responsible for their situation.
@Graham, NAMA has “completely” rejected Tom McFeely’s claims so we can only speculate over what is going on, but from NAMA’s point of view the claim is “completely” wrong.
Maybe it was suggested to him some time ago, pre-enforcement, that he and his family should downsize from their then residence to something more modest within his portfolio of properties.