Post by kfrancis94 on Sept 9, 2012 13:02:22 GMT
www.kerryman.ie/news/eviction-standoff-3219872.html
A FARMER who is facing eviction after falling behind on his mortgage repayments when his business went bust says he fears his children will be dragged from their beds by bailiffs in the middle of the night.
Father of five Seamus Sherlock has vowed to stay in his home no matter what, and has received the full backing of his children.
The well known antidebt campaigner from Feohagh on the Kerry/Limerick border said he has offered to pay the Bank of Scotland an annual 'five figure' lump sum. However, he was issued with an eviction notice last week.
Since receiving the eviction notice, the separated father has constructed a mini fortress on his land, using 60 bales of silage to block the gate leading into his property. Mr Sherlock has received overwhelming support from friends, neighbours and other anti-eviction campaigners, with dozens camping on the land overnight in anticipation of the arrival of bailiffs.
Mr Sherlock said he would rather be dead than lose his home in this way and is simply looking for more time to pay his debts. "THEY'RE trying to throw us out of our home and they shouldn't be allowed do that. We are going to stand our ground and we're not leaving no matter what."
These were the defiant, yet heartbreaking words of Seamus Sherlock's 14-year- old son, JJ, as he stood by his father's side this week in scenes that no child should ever have to endure.
While his friends are preparing for a return to school this Thursday, the brave teen is instead standing guard at the home he shares with his father, brother and three sisters, wondering when the bailiffs will come with an eviction order to turf him out of his home.
Despite the terrifying situation the teenager finds himself in, he shows no obvious signs of fear at what might unfold, bravely declaring that he and his family will not back down down.
"My father is doing the right thing and there was never another option in our minds but to stand by him," he told The Kerryman. "This is our home and they are trying to throw us out and they shouldn't be allowed to do that."
Asked if he was scared about what might happen, the youngster said no, adding that he was happy to be there for his father.
"I'm not worried. I'm happy to be here. I've been here every day and we're not leaving no matter what," he said.
JJ's older brother, Dermot, says the family won't be bullied out by the bank, adding that he is hopeful that the issue will be resolved without the eviction order secured by the Bank of Scotland being enforced. The 22year-old said the farm is his life and without it he would be nothing.
"All we can do is be peaceful and hold our ground and hold our heads up and be positive. We're not looking for anything for nothing, we just want the bank to give us more time to pay what we owe," he said. "It's the fear of not knowing whether they'll come in the middle of the night that's the worst, but I'm more worried about my younger sisters than myself."
So does anybody have any thoughts on this?
A FARMER who is facing eviction after falling behind on his mortgage repayments when his business went bust says he fears his children will be dragged from their beds by bailiffs in the middle of the night.
Father of five Seamus Sherlock has vowed to stay in his home no matter what, and has received the full backing of his children.
The well known antidebt campaigner from Feohagh on the Kerry/Limerick border said he has offered to pay the Bank of Scotland an annual 'five figure' lump sum. However, he was issued with an eviction notice last week.
Since receiving the eviction notice, the separated father has constructed a mini fortress on his land, using 60 bales of silage to block the gate leading into his property. Mr Sherlock has received overwhelming support from friends, neighbours and other anti-eviction campaigners, with dozens camping on the land overnight in anticipation of the arrival of bailiffs.
Mr Sherlock said he would rather be dead than lose his home in this way and is simply looking for more time to pay his debts. "THEY'RE trying to throw us out of our home and they shouldn't be allowed do that. We are going to stand our ground and we're not leaving no matter what."
These were the defiant, yet heartbreaking words of Seamus Sherlock's 14-year- old son, JJ, as he stood by his father's side this week in scenes that no child should ever have to endure.
While his friends are preparing for a return to school this Thursday, the brave teen is instead standing guard at the home he shares with his father, brother and three sisters, wondering when the bailiffs will come with an eviction order to turf him out of his home.
Despite the terrifying situation the teenager finds himself in, he shows no obvious signs of fear at what might unfold, bravely declaring that he and his family will not back down down.
"My father is doing the right thing and there was never another option in our minds but to stand by him," he told The Kerryman. "This is our home and they are trying to throw us out and they shouldn't be allowed to do that."
Asked if he was scared about what might happen, the youngster said no, adding that he was happy to be there for his father.
"I'm not worried. I'm happy to be here. I've been here every day and we're not leaving no matter what," he said.
JJ's older brother, Dermot, says the family won't be bullied out by the bank, adding that he is hopeful that the issue will be resolved without the eviction order secured by the Bank of Scotland being enforced. The 22year-old said the farm is his life and without it he would be nothing.
"All we can do is be peaceful and hold our ground and hold our heads up and be positive. We're not looking for anything for nothing, we just want the bank to give us more time to pay what we owe," he said. "It's the fear of not knowing whether they'll come in the middle of the night that's the worst, but I'm more worried about my younger sisters than myself."
So does anybody have any thoughts on this?