Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has said the tactics used by KBC bank in enforcing repossession in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon were “unacceptable and intolerable”.
Two brothers and a sister were evicted from their home outside Strokestown last Tuesday.
The eviction came under the spotlight after a violent raid on Sunday morning, when eight security guards were attacked while occupying the repossessed home.
A gang of more than 20 people wearing balaclavas and wielding baseball bats carried out a pre-dawn raid on the house on Sunday. Three members of the security team guarding the home were hospitalised and a dog was fatally injured.
Gardaí are investigating the criminal damage and assault.
Donegal Deputy and Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson said the issue highlighted the unregulated nature of receivers and people employed to enforce evictions.
He said: “I was shocked at the video footage from Roscommon showing the aggression and violence perpetrated in enforcing an eviction order. KBC Bank is responsible for this eviction and must be held to account. I have written to the Oireachtas Finance Committee calling for KBC and their agents involved in this eviction to appear before the Committee.”
Deputy Doherty has called on the government to speed up planned reform measures:
He said: “For years now, I have been seeking the regulation of receivers and their employees – something that is completely lacking. Almost three years ago, in January 2016 then Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald told me that the working group on company law reform would consider this issue. In October, officials informed me that it still hasn’t even looked at the issue. This regulation must be put in place as per the recommendation of my colleague Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD.”
“Public anger is rising at the constant Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil enabling of banks, these modern day bailiffs, and the vulture funds to act as they like.”
Deputy Doherty added that he believes there are many other alternative solutions, other than evictions.
“The immediate issue lies with banks employing security firms with no accountability to evict working families. Those banks should cease these operations and resolve their cases through the many, many other avenues open to them,” Doherty concluded.
