VİLLA SKANDALI

Larnaka yakınlarındaki Frenaros bölgesinde 4 yatak odalı, yüzme havuzlu villa alan 40 yaşındaki O’Dwyer, 100 bin Sterlin ödedikten sonra, villasının bir başka İngiliz’e satıldığını öğrenince ‘dolandırıldığını’ anladı. Hukuk mücadelesi başlatan aile, önce dayak yedi, ardından Rum savcının kararıyla sarsıldı.

Larnaka yakınlarındaki Frenaros bölgesinde 4 yatak odalı, yüzme havuzlu villa alan 40 yaşındaki O’Dwyer, 100 bin Sterlin ödedikten sonra, villasının bir başka İngiliz’e satıldığını öğrenince ‘dolandırıldığını’ anladı. Hukuk mücadelesi başlatan aile, önce dayak yedi, ardından Rum savcının kararıyla sarsıldı.

GÜNEY KIBRIS’a temelli yerleşmek amacıyla 4 yıl önce villa alıp, parasının yarısını ödeyen İngiliz Conor ve Michaela O’Dwyer çifti, müteahhit Rum baba-oğul tarafından dolandırıldı. Evlerinin bir başka İngiliz’e satılması üzerine hem paralarından olan, hem saldırıya uğrayan çift, evsiz de kaldı.
Aileyi en fazla yıkan ise Rum Başsavcı’nın, Conor O’Dwyer’ın Rum müteahhit baba ile oğluna karşı açtığı davada, ‘kriminal değil, sivil bir dava’ kararı. Göz göre göre İngiliz çiftin banka vasıtasıyla parasını alıp, evi başkasına satan baba Christoforos Karayiannas ve oğlu Marios Karayiannas, olayı protesto eden İngiliz’e, iki yılda iki kere saldırarak, hastanelik etti. Baba-oğul aleyhine açtığı davadan ‘şaşırtıcı’ bir karar çıkması üzerine, eski asker Conor O’Dwyer, Rum müteahhitler ve evini kanunsuz işgal eden İngiliz kadın Mihchelle McDonald hakkında özel kriminal davası açtı.

HAYALLERİ YIKILDI
İki kızlarıyla adanın güneyinde yeni bir hayat kurma planları yapan 40 yaşındaki çiftin Kıbrıs hayalleri, Rumların adaletsizlikleri nedeniyle yıkılırken, O’Dwyer çifti adanın güneyinde emlak almak isteyen İngilizlere; “Sakın plan üzerinden, bitmemiş ev alıp, paranızı kaptırmayın. Bir başkasından, tapulu, tamamlanmış emlak alın” tavsiyesinde bulundular.
8 ve 13 yaşındaki kızlarıyla İngiltere’deki evlerini satıp, temelli Kıbrıs’a taşınma planları içindeyken, 100 bin Sterlin’den fazla paralarını kaybeden, son iki yıldır da bir o kadar parayı kira, yol, mahkeme masraflarına harcayan aile; “Artık Kıbrıs bizim için güvenilir yer değil. Hayatımız orada tehlikede. Bir daha adımımızı oraya atmayacağız. Kıbrıs bizim için bitti” dedi.

SALDIRIYA UĞRADI
Eviyle ilgili anlaşmazlıkların başında, villasını görmeye giden İngiliz işadamı, iki yıl içinde baba-oğul Rum müteahhidin saldırısına uğrayıp, Güney Kıbrıs’ta hastanelik olunca, kaydettiği saldırı filmlerini internette yayınladı.
Ayrıca, sesini Rum makamlarına duyurabilmek için Londra’daki Kıbrıs Yüksek Komiserliği önünde 2008 ağustos ayından, ekim sonuna kadar 74 gün gece-gündüz çadır kuran aile, ‘Shame on Cyprus’ ‘Utanmaz Kıbrıs’ sloganıyla protesto başlarından geçenleri protesto ettiler. Son olarak geçtiğimiz günlerde Earls Court sergi salonundaki ‘Place in the Sun’ emlak sergisinde, Rumları aynı sloganla protesto eden aile, durumunu İngiliz kamuoyuna duyurmaya çalıştı.

‘ADALETSİZ DAVRANDILAR’
STAR KIBRIS’ı Londra’nın güneyinde Surrey yakınlarındaki kiralık evlerinde ağırlayan Conor, Michaela, Courtney ve Zoe O’Dwyer, inanılmaz hikâyelerini baştan sonra anlatarak, Rumların adanın güneyinde ev almak isteyen İngilizlere karşı son derece “adaletsiz” davrandığını öne sürdü ve orada ev almak isteyen hemşerilerini uyardılar.
Rumların, Kuzey Kıbrıs’ta kendi arsalarına yapılan emlak nedeniyle mahkemelere gidip, kendilerini haklı çıkartmaya uğraştıklarını söyleyen Conor O’Dwyer, “ Kıbrıs A.B üyesi. Ve bizim gibi orada emlak almak isteyenleri koruyan kanunları var. Ancak Kuzey’de kendi vatandaşları Rumları benzeri kanunlarla korurlarken, güneyde bizim gibi İngilizlere bu kanunlar işlemiyor, işletilmiyor. Bir evi satıp, parasının yarısını alıp, bankaya yatırıyorlar. Ev ilk sahibin üzerine tapuya kaydedilmesine rağmen, sonra evi ikinci kere bir başkasına satıp, paranın üzerine yatıyorlar. Ve ülkenin Baş Savcısı bunun kriminal bir suç olduğunu kabul etmiyor. Sivil mahkemeye havale ediyor. Bir de hakkınızı aramaya kalktığınızda dayak yiyorsunuz. Tüm rüyalarımız, hayallerimiz yıkıldı.. Finansal olarak da paramparça olduk. Ama sonunda adalete güveniyor ve hakkımızı alacağımıza inanıyoruz” diye konuştu.

Devamı yarın….

Mihrişah Safa

Cyprus property market tarnished by London protest

TENS of thousands of prospective home-buyers were greeted with placards reading ‘Shame on Cyprus’ at the gates of a property exhibition in London over the weekend.

The signs were part of a high-profile campaign organised by Conor O’Dwyer who is embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with local developers.

Conor O'Dwyer talking to potential Cyprus property buyers at Earls Court
Conor O’Dwyer talking to potential Cyprus property buyers at Earls Court

His colourful protest, camped at the main entrance to Earls Court, was staged during the two-day A Place in the Sun show, an event designed to help people get onto the overseas property ladder.

The show was organised in conjunction with the popular Channel Four television programme, which draws millions of viewers every week.

Over 200 exhibitors, representing more than 40 countries worldwide witnessed the highly visible stand set up by O’Dwyer.

Despite objections from local property developers – many of whom were left fuming, O’Dwyer said he was allowed to stage the protest with the blessing of the Metropolitan police.

“Greek Cypriot property developers came out of Earls Court on masse, they were furious with me. Some took photos; it was worrying because I had my children there. Some even said they would take me to court.

“At first they wanted the stand to be taken down, but after I explained my situation, some of them expressed sympathy and one developer even offered to help, but many were not happy,” he said.

Thousands of property dealers and customers from Spain, France, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Italy and the USA were greeted by the protest, with many stopping to discover what was happening.

“It needs sorting out,” insists property analyst Nigel Howarth, “This has been going on for far too long. His case is high profile and who can even begin to calculate the damage by the negative press?”

O’Dwyer claims he purchased a house in the eastern village of Frenaros in 2005 that was then was resold without his knowledge by the developers.

The developers have dismissed the accusations and accused O’Dwyer of attempting to extort a more expensive house from them.

This is not the first time O’Dwyer has taken his campaign to the streets, two years-ago he held a protest outside the Cyprus High Commission in London.

O’Dwyer slept in a tent and spent his day updating his website and talking to passers-by, including, he said, potential British property buyers for Cyprus.

By: Nathan Morley Published: Tuesday 30th March 2010

To see comments from British expats read this article in the Cyprus Property News

Copyright © Cyprus Property News

We have not learnt our lesson

UNFORTUNATELY, despite the fact that we have had many bad experiences when selling property to foreigners, we haven’t learnt our lesson.

We treat the subject very lightly and then when something goes wrong, we rush to deal with it, by which time it is too late.

A prime example was the event that took place at the exhibition “A Place in the Sun” in London, when Conor O’Dwyer protested outside the exhibition together with his family. O’Dwyer maintained that he bought property in the free area of Famagusta, which was sold for a second time by the developer without his knowledge and he lost money.

We are sure that before O’Dwyer resorted to the protest outside the property exhibition, he must have tried other forms of protest to be heard but had been unsuccessful.

And it is here that the relevant government authorities have a responsibility. If they were as methodical as the private sector and reacted openly and immediately, then we are sure that the problem would have been solved right from the beginning and there would have been no need for the protest in London.

This particular type of incident is not unique. We have seen reports of similar incidents in the past. And it is such incidents that discredit Cyprus internationally, wiping out any gains that have resulted from promotions and advertising that unfortunately only the private sector pays for.

Since we want to promote Cyprus as a destination to buy and invest in property, we should sort out these problems at their root and not let the situation get out of hand in the way that happened recently in London.

The state should intervene dynamically and the Interior Ministry which is responsible for this sector should place this specific problem under its scrutiny. Furthermore, it should take the necessary steps to ensure that such unacceptable incidents never happen again.

We will go one step further and propose that a relevant service be set up that will function correctly and pre-emptively in such instances.

At the same time, the necessary funds should be made available so that we can promote Cyprus in the property sector abroad. And why not, we should combine this with promoting Cyprus as a tourist destination and in this way also promote holiday homes. This should be a joint effort with developers who are also promoting Cyprus extensively.

Finally, it is sad that on the one hand millions are spent on publicity to promote Cyprus and great efforts are being made to deal with the problems of Title Deeds, while on the other hand it is all blown away by a single incident such as the one experienced in London and for which Cyprus earned the name “a shame in the sun”.

By: George Mouskides
Published Financial Mirror: Wednesday 12th May 2010

George Mouskides is Chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Property Development and Manager of Fox Smart Estate Agency. 

To see comments from British expats read this article in the Cyprus Property News

More delays in O’Dwyer case

THE HEARING of the high profile Conor O’Dwyer assault case has been postponed for another week.

O’Dwyer flew in to Cyprus from the UK to attend proceedings Larnaca District Court yesterday, only to be told that his case had again been moved to a later date.

Legal action was brought by O’Dwyer after he claimed that a property developer, his son and another man beat him up following an incident outside a disputed house in early 2007.

Father-of-two O’Dwyer, 39, has been flying back and forth from England since January 2009 to be present at court hearings, only to be faced with a series of obstacles and adjournments.

O’Dwyer spent a week in Larnaca hospital after the alleged attack and says the incident has blighted his family life.

He claims he purchased a house in the eastern village of Frenaros in 2005 that was then was resold without his knowledge by the developers.

The developers have dismissed the accusations and accused O’Dwyer of attempting to extort a more expensive house from them.

The case is unusual as O’Dwyer publicised his story on the popular video site YouTube, and backed his case up with documents and taped conversations with the developers and their lawyers.

O’Dwyer’s lawyer Yiannos Georgiaides has refused to comment until the case is over.

By: Nathan Morley Published: Thursday 4th February 2010

O’Dwyer assault case drags on into sixth month

THE CYPRUS Property Action Group (CPAG) has expressed outrage at a series of delays in the Conor O’Dwyer case, involving an alleged beating by the property developers with whom he is in dispute over a house purchase.

Father-of-two O’Dwyer, 39, has been jetting back and forth from England since January to be present at Paralimni court hearings, only to be faced with a series of obstacles and adjournments.

The case was brought by O’Dwyer after he claimed that a local developer, his son and another man beat him up following an incident outside a disputed house in early 2007. O’Dwyer spent a week in Larnaca hospital after the alleged attack.

CPAG spokesman Denis O’Hare told the Cyprus Mail that this case was politically loaded and being closely monitored by his organisation and interested parties.

“We are very frustrated; we see this as typical of the legal system here. Basically he has been beaten up…and to make matters worse he has now been assaulted by the legal system here,” he said.

Some legal commentators have expressed bewilderment that a straightforward assault case should be dragging on for so long and questioned why O’Dwyer has been forced to fly from the UK on six different occasions since January this year.

One criminal lawyer, who has been following the case, told the Cyprus Mail he was astounded by events at Paralimni Court.

“For an assault which lasted no more than 10 minutes to result in the complainant having to give nine days of testimony is simply ridiculous and unheard of. Furthermore, this man who is a foreigner, should be given court time priority and not treated in such a shameful way,” he said.

O’Dwyer says the incident has blighted his family life. He claims he purchased a house in the tiny village of Freneros in 2005 that was then was resold without his knowledge by the developers.

He claims the spat resulted in him losing the house and £100,000 he had paid for the property.

The problem started when O’Dwyer took issue with the developer because they were not sticking to the original plans for his house and garden.

Following a series of heated exchanges, O’Dwyer then contended that developers cancelled the contact, accusing him of not paying the next instalment.

He claims the developers then sold the house to someone else, telling him they were keeping his UK£75,000 for damages.

In a rare public statement last year, the developers accused O’Dwyer of allegedly masterminding a plan to extort a newer, more expensive property and exorbitant damages from the company.

O’Hare told the Cyprus Mail that the continuing setbacks of the O’Dwyer case just add more worry to the Cyprus property sector’s battered image.

“Whatever way this case goes, the ensuing publicity about the delays and so forth will do no good whatsoever for Cyprus and its image. We all want this fixed, it’s a shame“, he added.

Last year O’Dwyer began protesting about his plight outside the Cyprus High Commission, spending 74 nights sleeping in a tiny tent on the streets of London.

He widely publicised the details of his property dispute with the developers on YouTube and on the website lyingbuilder.com, however since the beginning of the court case he has ceased posting updates and refuses to talk to journalists.

The case has prompted a fierce debate on internet forums in both Cyprus and the UK, with many observers commenting that the proceedings need a “tidying up quickly“.

O’Dwyer’s lawyer Yiannos Georgiaides told the Cyprus Mail last night that: he had nothing to say until the case is over. O’Dwyer also refused to be drawn on the issue, but he is understood to be frustrated with the sluggish proceedings.

By: Nathan Morley Published: Tuesday 14th July 2009
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

Cyprus developer appears in court

Accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Conor O’Dwyer, property developer Christoforos Karayiannas and others appeared in the Famagusta District Court yesterday

THE ASSAULT case involving a Cyprus property developer and Conor O’Dwyer finally got underway at the Famagusta District Court yesterday, with judge Evi Antoniou presiding.

The case concerns an alleged attack on Mr O’Dwyer by a local property developer, Christoforos Karayiannas, his son Marios and a third unnamed man causing him grievous bodily harm. The alleged incident took place more than a year ago in the village of Frenaros near Ayia Napa and resulted in Mr O’Dwyer being hospitalised for six days.

Earlier proceedings were postponed after defence lawyers expressed concerns that it was being secretly tape-recorded. And when the case restarted on April 30th, it was postponed yet again when one of the defendants failed to appear.

Yesterday, the court heard Conor O’Dwyer describe details of his alleged beating and the Police presented several items of blood stained clothing O’Dwyer was wearing during the alleged assault.

Conor O'Dwyer pictured in hospital following the alleged assault
Conor O’Dwyer pictured in hospital following the alleged assault

The dispute that led to the alleged assault centres on the cancellation of Mr O’Dwyer’s contract by the property developers some half way through payment, even though the house that he and his wife had bought in Frenaros was already registered in his name at the Land Registry.

O’Dwyer had complained because he said the developers were not keeping to the original plans he was paying for. They then cancelled the contact accusing him of not paying the next instalment. The developers then sold the house to someone else, telling O’Dwyer they were keeping his £75,000 sterling for damages.

Countering Mr O’Dwyer claims, a statement from the developers alleged that O’Dwyer had masterminded a plan to extort a newer more expensive property and exorbitant damages from the company.

“After the cancellation of the contract, Mr. O’Dwyer set his plan in motion seeking for his revenge. A revenge originating from the fact that the value of the house he would have bought increased due to the current value housing boom.”

Mr O’Dwyer has published details of his dispute on a website at www.lyingbuilder.com and last year spent 74 nights camping outside the Cyprus High Commission in London in his quest for justice.

The court case against the three accused continues tomorrow.

By: Nigel Howarth Published: Thursday 7th May 2009
To see comments from British expats read this article in the Cyprus Property News
Copyright © Cyprus Property News

Trial in O’Dwyer assault case begins

THE HIGH profile Conor O’Dwyer assault case finally got underway at Famagusta District Court yesterday.

The case revolves around claims that a local property developer, his son and another man caused grievous bodily harm to O’Dwyer following an incident outside a disputed house on January 13 last year.

O’Dwyer, 39, took the stand and vividly described details of his alleged beating in the village of Freneros.

Police also presented several items of blood stained clothing O’Dwyer was wearing during the alleged assault.

Speaking after proceedings, O’Dwyers lawyer Yiannos Georgiades said it had been “a good day for Conor”.

Judge Evi Antoniou asked for time to consider a request from O’Dwyers legal team to submit evidence recorded on a DVD disc.

O’Dwyer, who had flown to Cyprus to be present at yesterday, spent a week in Larnaca hospital after the alleged attack in January 2008.

O’Dwyer claims he purchased a property in 2005 that was then was resold without his knowledge by the developers, resulting in him losing the house and £100,000 he had paid for the property.

In a rare public statement last year, the developers accused O’Dwyer of allegedly masterminding a plan to extort a newer, more expensive property, and exorbitant damages from the company.

The company also added that they had “failed to adhere to his blackmail requests“.

The case is unusual as every twist and turn in the saga has been published online on his website www.lyingbuilder.com, which has recorded tens of thousands of hits over the past year.

Last year O’Dwyer began protesting about his plight outside the Cyprus High Commission, spending 74 nights sleeping in a tiny tent on the streets of London.

The case will continue on Friday.

By Nathan Morley Published on May 7, 2009
Cyprus Mail

Cyprus lawyer at centre of protest replies

FOTOS PITTADJIS, the lawyer at the centre of yesterday’s peaceful protest in Paphos, has given his side of the story concerning allegations made against him to the Cyprus Mail. In an article by Bejay Browne in today’s paper, he said:

“I have heard about this demo, and I must say I find it offensive and annoying. It all seems to be organised by Chris Wood and Conor O’Dwyer.

“My father represented O’Dwyer in court, and the case was lost.”

Pittadjis continued, “I’ve represented thousands of British nationals, and offered a high degree of legal service, it’s highly unlikely that the people outside were my clients.”

He added, “As regards Chris Wood, he was only my client for one week. He then decided not to buy the property in question.”

“In Wood’s case, the developer had mortgaged the land. In turn, Chris got a mortgage from the bank, and I explained to him, the mortgage would be taken off the developer’s name and put into his.

“He then told me he wasn’t happy with this and he wanted his money back. He pulled out because of the recession and he’s picking on me.”

Pittadjis continued, “I explained this would be difficult as we had signed a sales contract, but I called the developer to try and negotiate. I was assured by the developer he would refund all the money, I’m sure Chris has had it back.”

Pittadjis believes all of his clients to be happy and assured that his company are careful to provide a high level of legal advice.

Often in Cyprus, properties are built on land mortgaged by the developer in order to fund another project.

“I never accept to release the final payment instalment unless the bank issues a waiver to free the property of the mortgage,” said Pittadjis.

“I’ve spent thousands ensuring that I have highly trained staff, so that this sort of situation can be avoided. I want to protect my reputation. People never get to hear my side of the story, and it’s unfair,” he added.

Pittadjis said he checks the mortgage imposed on a property and that the relevant building permit is in place.

“If anyone is a cash buyer, I check I’ve received a waiver form the bank before we release the third and final stage payment,” he stressed.

He added, “Chris even contacted me to negotiate his legal fees. I decided not to charge him anything, so as not to experience any further problems.”

“I’ve provided a good service to thousands of people. As if I would risk everything for a couple of thousand euros,” he said.

Pittadjis himself is one of many purchasers who have brought a property without title deeds.

“Cyprus was never prepared for this building fever,” he pointed out. “I hope that in two or three years, the new legislation will allow owners to apply for title deeds, and all the problems can be resolved.”

Pittadjis concluded, “I have to be honest. Some of these people are right: there are lawyers who might release payment without checking the situation but we never do that.

“We always make sure we have a bank waiver. That’s why the developers have never wanted to work with me – and this is why I’m so hurt by these accusations now.”

By: Nigel Howarth Published: Tuesday 27th January 2009

To see comments from British expats read this article in the Cyprus Property News
Copyright © Cyprus Property News

Paphos title deeds demo targets law firm

ANGRY demonstrators converged on the offices of Pittadjis Law Firm in Paphos yesterday, protesting the lack of proper legislation concerning developers and title deeds.

Denis O’Hare of the Cyprus Property Action Group (CPAG) told the Cyprus Mail, “We’re here because we were asked by the victims of this lawyer – it’s not organised by us. We would usually contact the press in the UK, and give a month’s notice. But we’re here today to lend our support.”

“This law firm has given out bad information in many property purchase cases, and these people here today are just the tip of the iceberg. The system here is wrong,” he added.

“There are thousands of people without title deeds to their properties, and lawyers fail to inform purchasers’ about the situation in Cyprus. Many wouldn’t have brought here if they’d known,” he said.

“You would have to be slightly crazy to buy from a developer now. Cyprus is still a wonderful country, with a great climate and people, but unfortunately, developers and the legal fraternity have ruined it for everyone.”

O’Hare stressed, “It isn’t just expats and foreigners being affected with the property situation, in fact, most of the people suffering are the Cypriots. These people are working two or three jobs just to make ends meet. We have to all work together to try and fix this.”

CPAG say the Pittadjis law firm was involved in the re-selling of Conor O’Dwyer’s property to a second buyer after his sales contract had been lodged with the Land Registry.

Conor O’Dwyer, is currently engaged in a high-profile dispute with the developers of a house in Frenaros. He has been ordered by the judge hearing his case not to take part in any demonstrations and was not in Paphos.

Many other protesters, unhappy with practices of the law firm and developers in Cyprus, took part.

Janice Crossley was at the demonstration.

“This law firm withdrew my contract of sale for a property in Ayia Thekla from the land registry,” she said.

“[The act was] contrary to my instruction and they abused their power of attorney. The property has now been re- sold and I’m €188,000 down. I’ve now revoked my power of attorney and will be taking the matter further. At present I’m living in England.’

Chris Wood is 38 and lives in Liverpool. He said, “These guys were supposed to be my lawyers. I was buying a property on a large development, and they exposed me to my developer’s debt.”

“They didn’t carry out searches to see if there were any charges on the land. My developer tried to silence me by getting me to sign a confidentiality agreement.

“It goes so much deeper than this. What about the people who actually sign these [contracts]? You never hear about them, apparently it’s quite common. I didn’t sign.”

He added, “The developers got my money and I want it back. The projects are big, so he must have taken money off a lot of people.

“Even if the property was delivered on time, I still wouldn’t have been happy. Basically, I would like justice, and for him to return my money in full.”

“It’s too late for me, but I would like to raise awareness for others. This law firm, I believe, is representing around eighty per cent of the development. I think they were recommended.”

Wood attended a property roadshow in Liverpool and said a lawyer from Pittadjis was flown over, along with representatives from Alpha bank. Sales contracts were drawn up, ready to sign.

“They’re inducing people to sign and [do] not offering any protection,” Wood charged. “The property was supposed to be a home for my family, but now it’s turned into a nightmare.

“There are people I know who have said they won’t set foot in Cyprus again, the level of corruption is just too high.”

Wood says Fotos Pittadjis assured him in June 2007, that his money would be returned. He says the developer has been making empty promises since then.

“I’m owed CY£35,000,” he said “This man is a British developer, and is abusing the system here.”

Bejay Browne – January 27, 2009

Bizarre twist as entire O’Dwyer court ordered out

COURT proceedings on the first day of the high profile Conor O’Dwyer assault case were adjourned yesterday after defence lawyers expressed concerns that the hearing was being secretly tape-recorded.

In a bizarre twist to the ongoing saga, the entire gallery at Famagusta District Court was ordered out of the chamber and told by Judge Evi Antoniou to “take mobile phones, recording devices, micro cameras or any surveillance equipment to their cars and then return.”

The move came just moments after the session started, when defence lawyers expressed their serious concerns that a message written by O’Dwyer on a local internet forum on Monday stated, “I am producing video evidence for all to see.”

In the same online posting, O’Dwyer also urged supporters to attend the hearing.

“If anyone wants to come along to see justice being served then it would be great to meet you there,” he wrote.

A printed copy of O’Dwyer’s Internet message was presented to the judge, who held up the paper in the air and demanded an explanation.

After several sharp exchanges between the judge and O’Dwyer’s lawyer Yiannos Georgiades, the hearing was postponed until April 30.

The judge also ordered that both parties in the case were not to approach each other, nor enter into any communication or conduct surveillance on each other.

A court translator then added in English, “You must not get close to each other at all.”

After the hearing, O’Dwyer told the Cyprus Mail, his Internet posting had actually meant that he would present video evidence to the court, and not record the actual session.

Despite O’Dwyer’s online call for people to come along, only a handful of supporters turned up at the court and neither O’Dwyer nor the defendants were called to the stand.

Commenting on the hearing, lawyer Yiannos Georgiades said he had never encountered such an incident in court in his career.

The case revolves around claims that a local developer, his son and another man are charged with causing grievous bodily harm to O’Dwyer following an incident outside a disputed house on January 13 last year.

O’Dwyer, 39, spent a week in Larnaca hospital after the alleged attack.

However, in a rare public statement last year, the developers accused O’Dwyer of allegedly masterminding a plan to extort a newer, more expensive property, and exorbitant damages from the company.

The company also added that they had “failed to adhere to his blackmail requests“.

In a separate development, on Monday O’Dwyer blasted Famagusta District Police for refusing to accompany him to the disputed property to take photographs.

According to O’Dwyer, officers point blank refused his request and even told him he may face arrest if he was found to be trespassing.

The case is unusual as every twist and turn in the saga has been published online on his website www.lyingbuilder.com, which has recorded tens of thousands of hits over the past year.

Concerns have been privately raised by some observers that the sheer volume of information made available by O’Dwyer on the internet could influence the outcome of the case.

By: Nathan Morley Published: Wednesday 21st January 2009

To see comments from British expats read this article in the Cyprus Property News
Copyright © Cyprus Property News