Ex cop draws sword in bid to reclaim estate
Ex NYPD officer John Sweeney in a stand-off with Charles Bigham in Dereen Gardens in his madcap bid to reclaim the Lansdowne Estate.
Wednesday September 08 2010
A FORMER New York cop who claims to be King of Ireland, drew his sword on the great grandson of Lord Lansdowne this week in an audacious bid to reclaim the Lansdowne Estate at Lauragh in South Kerry.
Following the publicity stunt of regal proportions, Cullen born John Sweeney ( 72) said he wants to help the Irish people take back possession of lands that were confiscated by English landlords. Starting at the Derreen Gardens, he now plans to visit a number of Irish castles and stately homes still controlled by descendants of English landlords in a bid to highlight the issue.
On Saturday afternoon, Mr Sweeney defiantly pitched three large flags into the lawns of the world famous gardens watched by current owner Charles Bigham. In a stand-off lasting almost two hours, an Irish flag, a flag depicting the infamous Five Points in New York and an orange flag depicting a middle finger and stating ' Oliver Cromwell and King William III of Orange – Up yours' were laid out on the grass.
Youtube footage of the event shows Charles Bigham attempting to remove the flag while Mr Sweeney, adorned in a crown he had made specially for the occasion, draws his sword.
" My aim was to get arrested as I want to start a lawsuit to highlight the issue. I had sent out letters to the owners and had told them that I was coming back to take possession," he said.
Local gardaí said they were not going to fall foul of Mr Sweeney's "games".
"He wanted to create publicity and we weren't going to oblige," Kenmare based Sgt Mick O'Brien stated. "We got a report on the matter and local gardaí went out to deal with it. It's really a civil matter."
Gardaí removed Mr Sweeney's swords as he left the property and said they would not be returning them. Mr Sweeney, meanwhile, says he may initiate proceedings in relation to the swords.
On Monday Mr Sweeney visited Blarney Castle where he discussed the matter in a peaceful manner with a representative from the Coldhurst family who currently owns the building.
" The whole country can laugh at me but it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I am happy doing this and I am not quitting," he said.
Formerly with the NYPD, Mr Sweeney has also served as a paratrooper in the US Army's 101st Airborne Division. Now retired, he says his destiny was revealed following three visions – at the ages of seven, nine and 39 – and on a subsequent visit to Tara where he wore his specially made crown. He speaks with absolute conviction and now hopes that a lawyer will take his cause on board as a matter of principal.
"This is divine providence. I also know that England will give up the six counties and there will be no violence," he predicted.
- KEVIN HUGHES
