Offaly man who faces legal fight to hold onto his home to hold 'Walk for Justice'

AN Offaly man who will be in court in in Tullamore on Monday 6 October defending "my right to remain in my home" is to hold a walk for justice to highlight his plight

Tullamore native Tom Roche's legal battle, firstly with PTSB, and now with their successor in title, MARS Capital Finance Ireland DAC, has been ongoing for the past15 years.

In order to create awareness of the case and gain some public support, Mr Roche will be embarking on a walk entitled "Tom Roche’s Rhode Home Walk for Justice" on the weekend prior to the case.

“Eviction is not one of life’s ups and downs; it is a mark of punishment inflicted by society through State institutions and the legal system," said Mr Roche.

Mr Roche is inviting everyone affected by mortgage distress to join him anywhere along the Grand Canal Way between Rhode Bridge and Tullamore for the walk.

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Mr Roche, who now lives in Rhode, commented: "Mortgage distress is not something to be ashamed of. We didn’t cause the financial crash of 2008. The Irish tax-payer coughed up €64 billion to bail out the banks. Today we are being forced - through home possessions and immoral interest rates imposed by vulture funds to pay for the criminal acts of the financial sector."

Walk details

Phase 1: Saturday 4 October – Walk will commence at 10:00am from Mr Roche's mother’s birthplace, outside Russell’s Cottage at Rhode Bridge to Daingean. You can start anytime you wish and join in along the route.

Phase 2: Sunday 5 October – Walk will commence at 10am from the Grand Canal Bridge in Daingean to Mr Roche's father’s birthplace at No 2 Chapel Lane, Tullamore. You can start anytime you wish and join in along the route.

Phase 3: Monday 6 October – Mr Roche will walk at 10am from outside his father's birthplace at No 2 Chapel Lane, Tullamore to the Courthouse, Cormac Street, Tullamore.

Registration: There is no registration required. If you wish to join the "Rhode Home Walk for Justice" you can do so anywhere along the Grand Canal Greenway between Rhode Bridge and Tullamore on either Saturday 4 or Sunday 5 - or both days if you wish.

Distance: 30 Kilometres (approx)

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