Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) is demanding an immediate end to the harassment and attempted forced eviction of CATU members Ash, Cameron and family at 3 The Hawthorns, Drumgola Wood, Co. Cavan, following a further alleged assault at the property last night

Since the beginning of August, Patrick Rabbitte has repeatedly attended the property and, according to our members, has subjected them to harassment, threats and physical violence, Patrick Rabbitte appears to be acting on behalf of Eamonn Rabbitte, the registered owner of the property.

Ash has been heavily pregnant throughout this, and gave birth thankfully without issue on Saturday evening to their baby girl.

However last night there was a further escalation. CATU understands that Patrick Rabbitte attended the property, entered the home and assaulted Cameron for a second time. Photographic evidence of the injuries has been provided to CATU.

Gardaí were present for the duration of this attempted eviction and stood by and watched while Patrick proceeded with this violent eviction.

We are deeply concerned by this apparent failure of An Garda Siochána to effectively intervene, protect the tenants in response to allegations of violence and attempted forced eviction.

Landlords cannot forcibly remove a tenant, change locks or cut of utilities without following a legal eviction process, which Eamonn and Patrick Rabitte have failed to do. And in no circumstance does a landlord, or those operating on behalf of a landlord have the authority to use violence to forcibly remove people from their home. No family should have to go through this while caring for a newborn child.

This is not an isolated issue. Just last year CATU Louth responded to a similar eviction of a young couple in Dundalk where a landlord resorted to violence and intimidation when legal processes didn’t go his way. CATU has seen this happen repeatedly across the country, which is displayed in our Eviction Nation Report. This report documents thousands of illegal evictions, alongside other evictions, highlighting how wide this problem spans.

CATU ask for solidarity in Cavan.

CATU is calling on members, neighbours, residents and supporters to join us today from 5pm at 3 The Hawthorns, Drumgola Wood, Co. Cavan, to stand with Cameron, Ash and their newborn daughter.

We will not allow a young family to be made homeless through intimidation and violence. We will not accept a situation where people can be assaulted in their own home while the institutions that are supposed to protect them stand by. And we will not accept the idea that tenants are expected to face landlords and their representatives alone.

For further information or media enquiries, contact the Community Action Tenants Union.