Ruling on sisters' home challenged

The legal success of sisters Eileen and Rose Blackhall in blocking the sale of their £2 million home to a property developer …

The legal success of sisters Eileen and Rose Blackhall in blocking the sale of their £2 million home to a property developer for £400,000 is to be challenged in the High Court. Mr David Barniville, counsel for the purchasers, Chessington Ltd, told Judge Liam Devally yesterday he had been instructed to appeal the Circuit Court judge's decision.

Last week Judge Devally ref used to direct the county registrar to execute a deed of conveyance to Chessington Ltd, effectively blocking completion of the sale. The Blackhall sisters have conducted a 10-year legal battle from the Circuit to the Supreme Court to save their home in Marino Park, Black rock, Co Dublin.

They have already been evicted by the County Sheriff who was acting on a High Court order. If the High Court affirms Judge Devally's decision, it will be asked to give further directions regarding the manner in which the property should be sold.

A reversal of his decision would see the property, now worth £2 million, being sold for the original price of £400,000.