Foley's case to stop CAB seizing home adjourned

Updated / Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 17:38

Convicted criminal Martin Foley, also known as The Viper, has had his challenge against the sale of his home by the Criminal Assets Bureau adjourned to next week as the court seeks to find a judge to hear his case.

At the High Court, Mr Justice Anthony Barr said it was unfortunate that Foley's case, which was listed for hearing, could not get on due to the unavailability of judges.

Mr Justice Barr adjourned the case until Monday, when a fresh attempt to secure a judge will be made.

Foley, 75, who was present in court is challenging a Circuit Court order allowing CAB to sell his home on Cashel Avenue in Kimmage, Dublin, due to his unpaid tax debt of almost €1million.

Last month, Foley offered to pay a "substantial" sum of money in an attempt to halt CAB's sale of the Dublin home.

Foley has submitted that he secured a €200,000 loan from a private individual to fund payments to the bureau.

Foley has said he "remains willing to engage" with CAB by making further payments by installments, in return for being permitted to remain in his home.

The Circuit Court told Foley that it had made a possession order against him in 2024 and he had already been granted an 18-month stay to allow him to find alternative accommodation.

CAB assesses Foley as owing more than €916,000 in unpaid taxes over a decade up to 2000.

Foley has claimed he works two days a week as a van driver, but struggles to survive on his pension.

He submitted that his wife is on disability benefits and claims they have no additional assets.

Foley also claimed he was led to believe that CAB and the Revenue Commissioners had agreed not to pursue him for the outstanding tax bill because he had made a deal with them.

He said he inherited the house from his mother and that it is not the proceeds of crime.

However, lawyers for CAB told the Circuit Civil Court that this was not an issue in this case, which relates solely to an outstanding tax bill.

Foley has a raft of some 60 criminal convictions, including assault, robbery and possession of weapons.

He was part of the criminal gang led by Martin Cahill, also know as the 'The General', and has survived multiple attempts on his life.