Judge agrees to a possession order for a council house whose tenant has not paid rent since May 2020

It was a short court list but a full gallery before Judge Elizabeth Healy at the Cahersiveen courthouse on Thursday, September 10.

Early in the morning, the judge granted a possession order for a council house whose occupant, Michelle O’Sullivan, had not paid rent for the Cahersiveen property since May 2020 and owed €14,344 in arrears.

Despite repeated tenancy warnings, Ms O’Sullivan of 24 Fertha Street had not engaged “at all” with discussion of her rent since January 2023, a housing department officer told the court.

She moved into the residence on February 23, 2008.

“Since then, she’s only sporadically paid rent,” said the officer, Michael Collins.

He stressed the council had done its utmost to engage since her 2023 interaction with a rent collector.

She had engaged with a tenancy manager officer in early 2026 regarding “an undeclared occupant allegedly in the property”, Mr Collins told the court.

Council houses are subject to annual rent assessments where tenants can discuss their situation, such as current finances.

County reviews were completed in 2024, 2025 and are ongoing for 2026.

Ms O’Sullivan’s last assessment was completed on June 1, 2018.

She did not appear in court.

“I am satisfied that a possession order should be made,” said Judge Healy.

Other court proceedings concluded quickly. Kerry solicitors continue participation in a national withdrawal of services due to a dispute over a new criminal legal aid payment structure. But the solicitors must attend nonetheless, making the slow September drive to Cahersiveen behind tour buses, meandering cyclists and a tractor carrying a load of loose stone.

It was the town’s first local court since the annual summer break. The court heard applications for pub licences and dances, and the judge issued a handful of fines for unpaid parking tickets to the county council. Most cases were adjourned into late autumn and January.

Andrii Kopetskyi (36) of Gurranerah, Cahersiven was present in court for a new charge of possession of a knife. He was previously charged with careless driving and failure to keep his vehicle at the scene after damaging property at Ird Car Park, Waterville on June 14, 2026.

“So, this is an 18 cm blade he had in his possession?” asked Judge Healy as Sergeant Stephen O’Brien handed her a photo.

She accepted jurisdiction.

Mr Kopetskyi was remanded on bail to Tuesday, September 15 in Killarney.

Finally, the court cleared and Judge Healy heard two domestic violence cases.

In the first, she granted a two-year barring order to an application who had received a protection order in July. Protection orders are short-term measures.

The complainant told the judge they had received threats to kill and threats from different numbers.

Judge Healy said she remembered the details from the July application and did not need the complainant to recount the history again. Instead, she sought further details on what had happened since July.

The applicant told the judge that gardaí did a welfare check that morning and said the man had attempted to contact her through others since the last court hearing.

“Are you confirming to the court that you still require the protection of the court?” asked the judge.

“Yes,” said the complainant. “He has tried making contact but I just block the numbers.”

The judge noted matters were uncontested and granted the order.

The second domestic violence matter was a bail hearing for a man charged with criminal damage and breaching an interim barring order on two occasions in early September.

Gardaí objected to bail, noting he was away of the interim barring order and his actions had “put the woman in fear”. The court heard she lived with her children.

There was a fear of witness intimidation, said Sgt O’Brien.

Both parties were present.

“There are further concerns he may use electronic communication,” a garda told the court. “He does not appear to respect the nature of the court order.”

Mr O’Connell noted his client had not breached bail previously, nor was there evidence of a previous conviction or bench warrant.

The garda stressed to the judge he believed the man would not abide by the interim order if granted bail. “I’ve had two complaints in the last two days,” he said.

Mr O’Connell noted it was his client’s first day before the court on such allegations.

Both he and the complainant were present.

The judge granted bail but noted gardaí concerns about witness interference.

She said the accused must keep his residence, keep a curfew from 10pm to 8am and not contact the witness, directly or indirectly.

He was remanded on bail to Killarney District Court on Tuesday, September 15.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme