The Irish Kidney Association had been forced into taking the Board of Beaumont Hospital to court in order to regain possession of its national kidney centre on the grounds of the hospital, the Circuit Civil Court has heard.
Judge John O'Connor was told that at the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospital had sequestered the Kidney Association Centre premises for the use of hospital patients under an agreement which had since been breached by the hospital board.
Elizabeth O'Sullivan, a director of the Kidney Association, stated in an affidavit that the board occupied the renal support centre premises, built by the charity on Beaumont's grounds under a lease of 250 years. She described the building as "the crown jewel" in the association's resources.
While the association had moved to a local hotel in order to facilitate the hospital board and maintain its own work, it transpired that when they sought to have their premises returned to them the board reneged on the agreement and remained until the present day as a trespasser albeit latterly paying the association €2,500 a week rent.
Ms O'Sullivan said the association had been forced to seek summary judgment against the board in a bid to recover possession of its own buildings.
While the Board had continued to promise to quit the premises, they were still in possession leaving the association with no option other than take legal proceedings against the board.
Barrister John O'Regan, who appeared with Dillon Eustace Solicitors for the association, told Judge O'Connor that a "final agreement" had been reached with the board whereby it had undertaken to give up possession of the premises by 31 October.
Mr O'Brien said the Chief Executive Officer of the board and a director were present in court to support the board's willingness to vacate the centre by the end of the month. They were not called to give evidence to the court.
Judge O'Connor adjourned the application for repossession until early November to facilitate the board carrying through its undertaking to quit.
The association had also sought leave to have the renal support centre restored to its original condition.
