Dublin solicitor Brian O’Donnell arrived back at the Killiney property on Thursday night – and into a situation where a member of the Land League got his foot caught under his car.
About 15 journalists, including three camera crews were present when Mr O'Donnell arrived back at Vico Road after a day in court, driving a blue Ford Focus car.
With the gates of the mansion having opened moments before his arrival, Mr O'Donnell went slowly forward but was stopped by Land League member John Martin banging on the car roof. "Go back" he was heard to say "that's my foot". The car stopped and Mr Martin seemed to extricate himself, before the vehicle proceeded inside.
Mr Martin is a member of the self-styled Land League which opposes evictions. He had spent four days at the mansion blockading the gateway in a bid to protect the O'Donnells from the potential arrival of a receiver acting on behalf of the Bank of Ireland.
Members of the media had been waiting at the Gorse Hill property on Thursday, first for Mr O’Donnell to come out of the house, and later for him to come back again, after he spent a day in court defending himself in a trespass hearing.
Earlier yesterday Mr Martin had called an impromptu press briefing in which he had threatened to take an action against broadcaster Vincent Browne and TV3.
Mr Martin alleged he was assaulted by Mr Browne on Wednesday, as journalists entered the grounds seeking to speak to the O’Donnells.
TV3 and Vincent Browne have declined to comment on Mr Martin’s allegations. TV3 said it was not the type of situation on which the station would normally comment.
Speaking to the media at Gorse Hill, Mr Martin, a former Dublin Corporation worker, said he would take an action against Mr Browne “and his employer TV3” in relation to the alleged assault.
Mr O’Donnell and his wife Mary Patricia O’Donnell had remained in the mansion which was once valued at €30 million after a court-imposed deadline for a receiver for Bank of Ireland to take charge of the property on Monday.
On Tuesday, representatives of the receiver nailed a trespass notice to the gates of the property after the High Court rejected an attempt by the couple's children, Blaise, Blake, Bruce and Alexandra O'Donnell, to stop the repossession of the house.
Mr O’Donnell left Gorse Hill shortly after 8am on Thursday to contest the allegations that he is trespassing at the house. He spent the day in court before arriving back in Killiney shortly after 6pm.
A person inside the gate as Mr O’Donnell’s car approached was critical of the lack of privacy afforded to the family by the media.
The New Land League has been blockading the house at, they say, the invitation of the O'Donnells.
However, the New Land League’s ongoing intentions will depend on the court judgement anticipated from Mr Justice McGovern next week.
