Hopes of an early resolution of the Co Waterford farm eviction dispute receded last night when the Irish Nationwide Building Society rejected an IFA demand that the Murphy family be immediately reinstated in the property, pending negotiations.
The building society's managing director, Mr Michael Fingleton, yesterday sent a detailed communication to the IFA president, Mr John Donnelly, in response to a letter he received from Mr Donnelly on Thursday. Mr Donnelly had urged that the society's agents should immediately vacate the Murphy's property at Whites town, Clonea Power, which they took over on Wednesday on foot of a court order.
The content of Mr Fingleton's reply was not revealed but it was described by the IFA president as "completely unsatisfactory". He said the IFA had made "sincere and reasonable attempts" to find a solution to "a very difficult situation". The society's attitude was frustrating progress and generating widespread concern.
"It is unacceptable that Mrs Murphy and her family will continue to remain out of their home over the weekend without a credible indication from the society of any willingness to sit down with the IFA and the family to resolve the matter," he said.
However, a spokesman for Irish Nationwide said last night that the laying down of preconditions in advance of discussions taking place was unhelpful. He said the society was available to meet the authorised representatives of Mrs Murphy to discuss how the whole matter could be satisfactorily resolved.