Legal twist to MADS ejection

Moyraverty Arts and Drama Society (MADS) were asked to leave St Anthony’s Centre around a month ago after a rift grew between the landlord and its tenants over finances.

MADS have been trying to retrieve items such as speakers, a sound desk and lapel mics and were told this week that all further correspondent should go through the church’s solicitors.

On Saturday wooden set equipment was thrown out of St Anthony’s Centre and MADS were told to have it off the site by Wednesday (yesterday).

MADS say they have receipts and bank statements for all the equipment the church are witholding, adding they were asked to collect the heavy set equipment last week, but couldn’t do so as they have shows on in Lurgan Town Hall for two consecutive weekends.

MADS secretary Niall Devlin said: “It’s a shame they threw the stuff out right in the middle of these productions when our time is tied up.

“The legal route they’ve gone down is unexpected and disappointing.

“It’s unfortunate the children have to suffer because we can’t get the stuff for our shows back.”

At the time of going to press there had been no response from the church, though previously they had said the matter was subject to internal legal processes and felt it inappropriate to comment.