A LANDLADY who put Donegal students under surveillance is bidding to have €115k in compensation stopped.
Rita McKenna and her daughter Edel were ordered to hand over the cash to ten students in 2007 after they were found to have placed their tenants under electronic surveillance.
Ms McKenna has now asked a High Court judge to throw out the 2007 ruling, insisting that if she has to pay up she will lose her home in Dublin.
The then tenants – all students – had rented rooms in 46 Mobhi Road in Glasnevin from the McKennas in 2003 and 2004.
They became concerned in late 2004 their conversations and activities were being monitored when the McKennas referred to details the students had discussed in private in the house. When they raised the issue, they were evicted.
One tenant, Patricia Hegarty, brought a case against the mother and daughter in 2004, which was later settled out of court. Ten more tenants subsequently sued the McKennas for breach of privacy.
In a bid to secure payment on foot of the judgments granted, a judgment mortgage has been registered against the Mobhi Road property.
Ms McKenna has now asked High Court Master Edmund Honohan to make orders which would allow her appeal against the 2007 Circuit Court order. Under the relevant rules, an appeal should be lodged within 10 days but Ms McKenna wants that time extended.
Master Honohan adjourned the application until next month.