This article originally appeared in the Jamaica Gleaner. Read the full article.
Westmoreland squatters occupying sections of an 867-acre property owned by John and Kathleen Eugster have lost the right to remain on the land following Friday’s ruling by High Court Justice Cressencia Brown Byfield, who set aside a stay of possession that was secured by Daly Thwaites and Company on behalf of the squatters.
This was in response to the recovery of possession that was ordered by Justice Ingrid Mangatal in a 2011 judgement.
Yesterday, attorney-at-law Ayisha Robb, representing the Eugsters, explained Friday’s ruling.
“The judge’s ruling means that the application for a stay is set aside and Justice Ingrid Mangatal’s ruling in 2011 for the Eugsters remains in effect. Costs have also been awarded to the Eugsters,” she told The Gleaner.
Mangatal’s 2011 ruling had said, inter alia, that squatters had no right to claim ownership of lands they occupy for years without any compensation to the ‘registered’ owner. The judge’s ruling was in the case of 37 ‘claimants’ who challenged the right of the Eugsters to demolish their houses, and evict them for illegal occupation of their beachfront property.
“So once again justice has prevailed. The process of the courts was long, but we can say the system works,” Robb declared. She said that the Eugsters would be moving to take possession of the property.
