A pensioner’s bank accounts remain frozen by court order, a week after a minor financial dispute was resolved, leaving the woman in despair and with no money.

The 63-year-old, from Madliena, was in Spain when she noticed that her bank had carried out unauthorised transfers of funds and she phoned to see what had happened.

She said she was shocked to find out that she had been slapped with a garnishee order by the administrator of her apartment block, which effectively froze her bank accounts, leaving her penniless.

The amount demanded by the administrator was €2,000 and she contacted her lawyers who deposited the money in court and a counter order was issued to release the funds.

A magistrate’s signature is required to secure the release but this has not been done so far.

In the meantime, the woman said she had to borrow money from family members.

“This has breached my human rights.” she said, exasperated at how she could not even buy much-needed medicine.

The money demanded by the administrator was meant to go towards the improvement of the block of flats where she lives.

She said she always paid her dues and was among the first to do so in the 14 years she had been living there but this time she refused to hand over any more money because no work had been done.

The woman is now hoping her predicament will be resolved by next week.