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An Appeal Court ruling has left the grieving widower of deceased rebel Catholic cleric Pat Buckley devastated.
Eduardo Yanga has finally been shown the door after a year-long legal battle. He has been ordered to quit the Larne home he shared with Buckley since they married in a civil ceremony in 2010.
After a serious fall-out with the Church, Pat Buckley set up the Oratory Catholic Church along with a number of other disgruntled priests and he was later appointed bishop.
But earlier this week, senior judges informed the award-winning chef, he had no legal right to remain in the substantial property at Princes Gardens. And they granted him a further month to find another home.
Speaking to the Sunday World before an Appeal Court ruling on Thursday, 46 year-old Yanga said he was confident the court would see merit in his case to remain in The Oratory, near the ferry port town centre.
But following the ruling an hour later, Eduardo said he was left stunned because he suddenly realised – for the first time in his life – he was homeless.
“To tell you the truth, I’m still in a state of shock, because I’ve suddenly been made homeless.” he said.
“Going into court, I was confident I had presented a good enough case. And I firmly believed the Appeal Court judges would rule in my favour, but they didn’t.”
And Eduardo added: “Pat had warned me, that one day I would be in a legal battle with the Church over whether I should remain in our home. But I did my very best in court and I know Pat is proud of me.”
After a decade of battles with the Catholic Church hierarchy, Father Buckley – who died suddenly last summer – was exiled to Larne in Co Antrim.
And it was there he set up his own version of the Catholic Church based in a converted stable behind the Parochial House at 6 Princes Gardens, Larne.
The Diocese of Down and Connor wrote to Father Buckley ordering him to vacate the property without delay.
But the troublesome cleric went to court claiming Squatters Rights and the judge agreed with him.
In an arrangement agreed with the Catholic Church, Buckley was granted permission to remain in the former Parochial House. And his estate was also granted full access to it for a full six months after his death.
Before his sudden passing last year, Bishop Buckley – as he had become – told his husband Eduardo, he should fight to remain in the property after his death.
Yesterday, as he pondered his future, Eduardo Yanga told the Sunday World: “It was crucial for me to have my day in court.
“I don’t mind admitting the result has shaken me. But it’s made me realise some aren’t able to speak up for themselves and that is sad.
“My conscience is clear. I never told any lies on the stand. I came to court three times, representing myself without the assistance of a barrister or lawyer to assist me, because I could find one willing to represent me.
“On May 2 last year we celebrated Pat’s birthday and 15 days later, he was found dead in bed. Pat wanted me to face down the Church over the right to remain in our home and by going to court, I’ve done that. I fought a good fight.
“But I failed to persuade the Appeal Court judges. But at least I managed to live in Pat’s home for a year and a month after his death. Each day I lived thereafter Pat died, was a victory as far as I was concerned.”
And he added: “Today, as I face an uncertain future, I raise a toast to Pat Buckley and I hope I did him proud in standing up to the Church.”
Seven months ago, Eduardo hit the headlines when he was involved in a fist fight with a local man in Larne.
Yanga and retired bus driver Paul ‘Chico’ Keenan exchanged blows after Keenan told Yanga he should leave the Princes Gardens property, because he and the rest of the Catholic community in Larne owned it.
Suddenly both parties were involved in a vicious bar room brawl, before the police arrived to investigate.
When quizzed, Eduardo admitted punching 60-year-old Keenan.