Yesterday, Conor O’Dwyer’s plan to “sleep rough for justice” outside the Cypriot High Commission in St James’ Square London made front page news in the UK.
Conor’s story appeared in the Advertiser, a local newspaper distributed throughout Surrey’s famous stockbroker belt to the south west of the capital. The newspaper plans further reports of Conor’s progress in future editions. (To read the full article, click on the image to the right).
Mr O’Dwyer’s family lost their life savings after a four-bedroom house they bought in Cyprus in 2005 was “unlawfully resold” without their knowledge. After trying for years to get his case heard by a judge in Cyprus and becoming the victim of two vicious assaults, Conor has decided to take direct action until he gets justice.
The news that Mr O’Dwyer’s plight has been highlighted in the UK press will not be welcomed by the property industry in Cyprus. Already this year, the number of Britons buying property on the island has dropped by 20% as news of the widespread scams spread throughout the UK and as the global credit-crunch causes people to reappraise their finances.