A mother-of-ten has been told that she could face prison if there are breaches of an exclusion order at her residence, which was previously described by a Judge as a ‘house from hell’.
Ann Ward was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday.
Donegal County Council raised an issue over Ms Ward, of Armada Cottages, Bundoran. The Council had received complaints from neighbours regarding alleged breaches of an undertaking given at a previous court sitting
Previously, the court granted excluding orders against three men – Thomas Ward, Patrick Ward and James (Jimmy) Ward – in relation to a council house at 15 Armada Cottages Bundoran, of which Ann Ward, their mother, is the tenant.
Mr McElhinney told Friday’s session that the fundamental aspect of the case is that there should be no-one in the property from 8pm-8am other than Ms Ward.
Solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien, representing Ms Ward, said that his client has previously given an undertaking relating to anti-social behaviour and individuals who were excluded by orders made under the Housing Act.
“She is aware of her undertaking, but there has been ebbing and flowing of their attendance,” Mr O’Brien said.
Taking to the witness box, Ms Ward told the court that she has been living at the address for ’14 or 15 years’ and her health is ‘not good’ at the moment. “It is very hard,” she said. “They do come to see me.”
Judge Michael Connellan warned Ms Ward that she could face prison for contempt of court if she breaks the order that is in place.
In December 2020, Judge Kevin Kilrane described Ms Ward’s residence as ‘a house from hell’.
In 2021, Hristo Dimitrov who lives next door to Ms Ward, gave evidence in the case of an application brought by Donegal County Council at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday. The application was for excluding orders against Thomas Ward, Patrick Ward and James (Jimmy) Ward.