AN INVESTIGATION is underway after squatters took over Irish pub O'Neill's in Muswell Hill, north London.
The group had entered the premises – known locally as the Church pub – in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 16 mere hours after the pub shut its doors for the last time.
The squatters had prevented staff from entering on Sunday morning to carry out preparation for an upcoming refurbishment, with O'Neill's owners Mitchells & Butlers planning to convert the outlet to a steakhouse.
Metropolitan Police officers from Haringey were called to the former pub shortly before 4am to reports of a break-in.
When they arrived, officers found that the venue had been taken over.
Initially 'it was left as a civil matter,' a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said.
But the owner of the venue spoke with police later in the day and they attended the venue again at 7.30pm Sunday evening.
An eyewitness to the incident, Richard Lewis, told The Irish Post that the ensuing scene was like 'watching Line of Duty.'
Police swarmed the pub before using a battering ram to enter the premises. (Picture: Richard Lewis)"Somebody told me O'Neills had closed down on Saturday, so Sunday evening I thought I'd pass the pub to see if this was true.
"When I turned the corner by Sainsbury's, I saw a commotion with police cars and vans outside the pub and around 10 police officers.
"One was shouting through the letterbox to whoever was inside, reading them their rights before saying the police were about to enter.
"Next thing one of the officers produced a small metal battering ram, and they broke the doors down before shouting "POLICE!" loudly and running in.
"It was all like watching a scene from Line Of Duty," he said.
A spokeswoman from the pub chain said: "We had a break in on Saturday evening and have worked with the police over the weekend to secure the building.
"We are pleased the situation was resolved so quickly. The pub is now closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen in early September as a Miller & Carter steakhouse."
Inspector Rob Ranstead of Haringey Police said: “The premises wasn’t a shut business, it was due to open, so those inside were stopping a lawful activity.
“In general the damage is consistent with stopping people to get in. All the tables and chairs are stacked vertically against the doors on the other side.”
A spokeswoman for Metropolitan Police said: "Occupants were warned that they were committing aggravated trespass because they were stopping the lawful activity of the owners of the pub [to carry out preparations for the refurbishment].
"An entry was begun after the owner gave permission for officers to use force to enter his premises."
The main entry to the premises had been barricaded, police said, which delayed entry and, "the occupants fled the venue in the ensuing time through a number of the other exit points."
Police have said no arrests were made and an investigation is ongoing.
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