'We are not leaving', say activists occupying Apollo House

The NAMA owned Apollo House, which was been turned into a makeshift hostel . Photo: Damien Eagers

Gavin White

A standoff between activists who have taken over a vacant city centre building and the property's receivers is continuing.

Volunteers from Home Sweet Home, who are supported by singer Glen Hansard, actress Saoirse Ronan (inset) and director Jim Sheridan, were spending their fourth night in Apollo House.

They have been asked to leave the vacant property by Mazars who say they are "trespassing on private property".

Skills

However, the activists say they are open to talks but are not leaving.

Rosi Leonard, from Home Sweet Home, said: "Over a dozen people have stayed and 800 people have come to us bringing skills while we bring up the capacity of the building"

Ms Leonard said they "are open to sitting down with the owners of the building" to find a solution while they are "consulting with their legal teams".

Today, Anti Austerity Alliance city councillor Michael O'Brien will table an emergency motion for the north central area committee calling for official recognition of Apollo House emergency accommodation and the withdrawal of an injunction served on the occupiers by the owners.

"The well-planned, no-nonsense approach of the activists stands in marked contrast to the snail's pace approach of the Government," he said.