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One of three men jailed for refusing to comply with court orders to stay away from a controversial Co Roscommon farm has been released from Mountjoy prison after purging his contempt.
Colm Granahan was released from custody Tuesday night after he served his contempt before Judge Niamh Hyland and agreed to comply with court orders to stay away from a farm in Falsk, Strokestown, Co Roscommon.
After agreeing to comply with the orders, Mr. Granahan (61) was immediately released and left the Four Courts.
Michael Anthony McGann, retired guard Kevin Taylor from Longford along with Mr. Granahan from Ballina, Co. Mayo were jailed by Judge Leonie Reynolds last month after they refused to agree to stay away from the farm.
Both Mr. McGann of Strokestown Co Roscommon and Mr. Taylor remain in custody at Mountjoy.
The estate, owned by Mr. McGann, was the scene of a controversial eviction in 2018. KBC bank obtained a repossession order against the property.
KBC was unable to secure the property and returned to court and obtained warrants in October 2019 granting it vacant possession of the property.
KBC then filed a contempt case against the three men for their refusal to comply with that order.
Earlier this month, Judge Reynolds said in a written judgment that she was “issuing an order for the indefinite detention of the three men, until such time as they purge their contempt.
The judge said it was “manifestly clear” that the actions of the three men amounted to a “flagrant, deliberate and artificial violation of a court order issued last year that prevents someone from trespassing on the farm or KBC from taking possession of the property”.
The judge said evidence was provided to the court that the men were present at the property even though they had no right to be there.
The judge also noted that there was “an ongoing campaign on social media” regarding the property, “orchestrated solely for the purpose of undermining the authority of the court.”
That campaign also questioned the authority of the court and invited people to attend the farm to thwart the Superior Court order.
The judge added that he was “at all times open” to all three to purge his contempt and pledge not to transgress. enter, assist or obstruct the KBC bank from taking possession of the property.
The court had given all three the opportunity to purge their contempt, but they had “shown an unwillingness to do so.”
All were brought before the court at the end of November after their arrest by Gardaí.
Earlier this week, Judge Mark Heslin dismissed a separate request challenging the legality of McGann’s detention for contempt.
The judge said the request for an investigation under article 40 of the constitution into McGann’s arrest was “totally unfounded.”
The contempt process must be brought before the Superior Court in January.
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