GARDAI escorted more than 40 security men, some of whom were wearing balaclavas, to evict a family from their farm and homes in Co Donegal yesterday. One of the owners of the farm, Mr Eric Graham, was taken to hospital following a confrontation with the security guards as the acting Co Donegal sheriff repossessed his home.
The eviction, which took more than nine hours to complete, was the latest twist in a five year dispute between the National Irish Bank and the Graham family, from near Burnfoot, Co Donegal, over the Grianan estate the largest farm in Ireland.
Mr Robert Graham (66), and his sons, Erie (36), and George (33), bought the 3,000 acre farm for £3.6 million in 1989. They received a 20 year loan for £2.3 million from NIB and used the proceeds of the sale of their family farm in Co Monaghan to make up the difference.
After 17 months, the bank recalled £1 million and ordered the family to sell some of their land to generate the money. The family refused and relations between them and NIB deteriorated. The family owe about £3.5 million.
About 40 gardai, accompanied by security men, moved on to the main road overlooking the firm at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. An hour later, the security, men armed with sledgehammers and baseball hats broke down the door of the home of Mr Eric Graham.
Mr Graham his wife Clans and their five children aged from nine years and nine months locked themselves into an upstairs bedroom. They were joined by Mrs Graham's father, former Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Rodney Starritt.
Shortly after 12.30 p.m., the security men broke into the room and forcibly removed Mr Graham. He was injured when he tried to re-enter the house and was brought to Letterkenny General Hospital. Child care workers and housing officials from Donegal County Council were called in to try and find emergency accommodation for the family.
At 2.30 p.m., the gardai and security team, led by a JCB, surrounded the family farm about a mile away from Mr Eric Graham's home. Reinforcements were called in and shortly before 4 p.m., gardai carrying riot gear moved into the area. Mr Robert Graham, his wife, Sadie, his son, George, and his wife, Ingrid, locked themselves into the building with relatives, neighbours and friends.
Shortly after 6.30 p.m., about 70 gardai in riot gear accompanied the security men to the front door of the building and followed them as they smashed their way with sledgehammers through to an inside room where more than 20 people waited.
After the evictions, neighbours of the Graham family complained of an excessive use of force and of the wearing of balaclavas used by the security men hired by local sheriff, Mr Tommy Owens. The sheriff refused to comment.