KBC bank protest staged by Irish politicians over evictions

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Mattie McGrath, Carol Nolan and Michael Collins have been in the Baggot Street branch since 2pmImage source, RTÉ
Image caption,

Mattie McGrath, Carol Nolan and Michael Collins have been in KBC bank since Wednesday afternoon

KBC Bank has agreed to a meet three independent Irish politicians after they carried out a protest in one of their branches over a controversial eviction in County Roscommon.

They said they were protesting how KBC deals with people in mortgage arrears.

Mattie McGrath, Carol Nolan and Michael Collins were in the branch for about seven hours on Wednesday.

Violence followed the eviction near Stokestown after masked men attacked security guards at the property.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the attack on Sunday.

Carried 'coffin' into the bank

The three TDs (members of the Irish parliament) said they would not leave until they got written assurances that bank management will meet with them in the near future to discuss the issues.

Mr Collins, writing on Facebook, said that they would now meet senior bank officials in January.

He thanked "the thousands who supported us through the past nine hours".

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Earlier on Wednesday, a coffin carrying the words 'We must think inside the box' was carried inside the branch.

Speaking to RTÉ, Mr McGrath said they are looking for "meaningful engagement" with KBC management about debt collection and debt resolution.

"We want a meaningful debt resolution process put in place and proper meaningful engagement, and give people a chance about restructuring," he said.

The Tipperary TD added that "the courts and the sheriffs" should be the last resort.