Three property owners from the Westport area have made history by becoming the first persons in the country to be prosecuted in connection with the Government’s controversial household charge. 

Summonses to appear before Judge Mary Devins at Westport District Court yesterday were issued to Peter Anthony Keegan, Belclare, Westport and Barbara and Liam O’Malley with an address at Clooneen, Rosbeg, Westport. 

The summonses against Mr. Keegan related to allegedly not making a declaration in relation to six units in Westport Town. 

The cases against the O’Malleys relate to non-declaration in respect of three units in Westport. 

When the cases came before her yesterday, Judge Mary Devins asked if they were the first cases of their kind in the country. 

Counsel for the local authority Ward McEllin replied that he understood they were.

He told the court it was an offence to fail to make a declaration, and it was a separate offence to fail to pay the household charge.

The cases against the three were adjourned until December 20.