Building manager 'fears for his life' from debt collector

A BUILDING projects manager has secured a restraining order after telling the High Court he fears for his life from convicted criminal Martin Foley and others who threatened him while allegedly acting as “debt recovery” agents for a Wicklow developer.

An unidentified man put a gun in his mouth in one incident, the manager claims.

Greg Kavanagh told the court a man who identified himself as Martin Foley from the Viper Debt Recovery and Repossession Agency arrived at his family home in Arklow on April 15th last with another man called Barry and said they were there to collect money on behalf of Dara O’Neill.

In an affidavit, Mr Kavanagh said he does not owe money to Dara O’Neill, with an address at The Brambles, Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, and in fact Mr O’Neill owes money to him for project managing the building of a house at Seafield, Ballymoney, Gorey in January 2005. Mr Kavanagh said he felt threatened and intimidated by Mr Foley and the other man and feared for his own and his family’s safety.

He told Mr Foley he did not owe Mr O’Neill any money and rather it was he who was owed money by Mr O’Neill.

Mr Foley said he would call back “and that I had better pay”, he said.

Mr Kavanagh said he received a phone call on Tuesday last, April 28th, from a person called Barry, who identified himself as an agent of Mr O’Neill’s and warned he had better pay Mr O’Neill immediately “and if I didn’t he would organise a gang of men in a van to come and get me”.

Mr Kavanagh also said, on April 7th last, about 10pm, four unidentified men arrived at his family home, took him out of the house and beat and kicked him.

He said three of the men held him down while a fourth put a gun in his mouth. He believed those men were acting for Mr O’Neill who, he said, had previously broken into his office and assaulted him and tried to assault a female member of his staff before being removed by gardaí. He also claimed Mr O’Neill had previously tried to knock him down with his car.

On the application of Fergal Foley, for Mr Kavanagh, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy yesterday granted an interim order restraining Mr O’Neill and his servants or agents or anyone entering in concert with them interfering with, threatening or using violence against Mr Kavanagh and members of his family. The order also restrains trespass at the home of Mr Kavanagh or family members.

The order was granted on an ex parte basis and the judge returned the matter to next Tuesday.

Mr Kavanagh said he had, at the request of Mr O’Neill in 2005, managed the building of a house in Gorey. He said it was agreed he would be paid €80,000 for his services. The bulk of the €80,000 remained due and owing to him.