Gardai have arrested a man this morning in connection to a pre-dawn attack at a repossessed home in Co Roscommon.

A number of searches were carried out this morning at three houses and one yard in Roscommon.

A shotgun was seized during the operation and one man was arrested and taken to Roscommon Garda station where he is being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.

A number of searches also took place yesterday, in Dublin and Meath.

It comes as it emerged that the farmer at the centre of the eviction in Co Roscommon was informed several times about the impending repossession of his home before it occurred earlier this month.

The Irish Independent has learned there were no fewer than seven communications between the local sheriff or the sheriff’s messenger and Anthony McGann over several months in the lead-up to the repossession.

It has also emerged Mr McGann (50) has a long history of financial difficulties and been convicted of two counts of failing to file tax returns.

Mr McGann’s two adult siblings returned to the house at Falsk, near Strokestown, on Monday.

On Sunday, a 20-strong vigilante gang, armed with baseball bats, had attacked eight security guards who were guarding the property.

The property’s front gate was securely locked yesterday, the windows and doors of the farmhouse boarded up.

The family at the centre of the eviction are not suspected of an involvement in the violence.

Several supporters have been gathering near the house since members of the family returned.

The McGanns are not suspected of being involved in the incident on Sunday.

The family last night issued a statement through their former neighbour, Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy, in which they said: “The forced eviction from our home has left our family shocked by unforeseen events that were thrust upon us.”

They said they wanted to “make clear we condemn all forms of violence and want to see the rule of law upheld”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke about the events in Falsk in the Dáil yesterday, saying the High Court has a “very high barrier for allowing evictions to happen”.

He also accused Sinn Féin of “letting the balaclava slip” in their reaction to the vigilante attack.

In their statement, the McGanns said their “plight has been exploited by some wishing to further their own narrow agendas and we were particularly disappointed at comments made today by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during Leaders Questions in the Dáil. His remarks, we believe, are a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from some of the very serious issues relating to our eviction.”

Meanwhile a number of options are open to KBC Bank if it wishes to gain possession of the property again.

It could opt to send in more private security guards to regain possession under an existing High Court order, or seek to have anyone in breach of a court order held in contempt. This could involve those persons being arrested if necessary and brought before the court.

A spokesperson for the bank said: “Unfortunately KBC cannot comment at this time.”

According to court records, the proceedings leading up to KBC’s possession were protracted.

They were initiated in 2009 and culminated in a possession order being issued on August 8 this year.

After that date, there were at least seven communications between the local sheriff and/or the sheriff’s messenger and Mr McGann.

On September 18, the property was visited by the messenger and it is understood Mr McGann was informed of the date that possession would take place.

It appears he was given further time in September to make arrangements or engage with the bank. On December 9, a further visit confirmed the date and time for possession, December 11 at 1pm.

Meanwhile, it has emerged the farmer was convicted in January 2011 of two counts of failing to file specified tax returns in 2008.

He received fines totalling €1,500 at Strokestown District Court, but did not pay at the time. A fines warrant was later issued Mr McGann finally paid in December 2012.

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