THE CHILDREN OF Brian O’Donnell say they “understand” people’s lack of sympathy for them.

The family came to public attention last week when it was reported that Brian O’Donnell, a solicitor, had “barricaded” himself into the Gorse Hill mansion on Killiney’s Vico Road.

At the time, he and his wife Mary Patricia O’Donnell were trying to bring an injunction against them being ordered to leave the property by Bank of Ireland receivers.

They have been supported by the New Land League throughout the process.

In court last Thursday, Brian O’Donnell denied that he barricaded himself into the house, claiming that cars blocking the gate to Gorse Hill were there to prevent members of the media and others from entering.

Receivers on behalf of Bank of Ireland were attempting to bring a trespass injunction against O’Donnell and his wife.

Public sympathy

Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show today, Blaise and Blake O’Donnell were asked if they understood why there might be a lack of public sympathy for them.

Blaise said that the situation is “awful” but she ”understand[s] that people aren’t going to be too sympathetic”.

“We are just trying to do our best, put one foot in front of the other”, she said.

She also said that the arrangement over the home was their parents’ way of making provisions for the future, and that is why they were never going to discuss it with them.

Her brother Blake said that there is a “difference between morality and the law” as “just because the court makes a determination, it doesn’t mean what the other side has done is right”.

Blaise said they “don’t want to see anyone thrown out of home, no matter what size it is”, and that their case is “to highlight that this shouldn’t be happening and it needs to be addressed”.

Read: Who is Jerry Beades and why is he involved with the Killiney mansion case>