But they got a "get out of jail free" card didn't they? They essentially sold the properties to the state for full price. Or do I misremember?

The BTLs may have been treated differently actually. I believe most of the relief was for mortgage-holders for some reason.

Under a deal brokered by the Taoiseach’s department and the Department of the Environment, it was agreed that former residents would have their debt written off.

As part of that agreement, ownership of owner-occupier homes was transferred to DCC – as were the mortgage obligations. Owners of buy-to-let properties were given a moratorium on their mortgage payments – and promised a complete refurbishment of their apartments.

Court blocks bankruptcy exit by developer Thomas McFeely
Case adjourned to October after bankruptcy trustee argues Priory Hall developer failed to disclose all his assets
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/comm ... -1.2298658
Priory Hall developer Thomas McFeely will contest an application to extend his bankruptcy by five years.
The application has been brought on grounds including his alleged failure to disclose all his assets, the High Court has heard.
Mr McFeely (67) was adjudicated bankrupt in Ireland in July 2012 and his bankruptcy is due to expire on Thursday, July 30th this year.

He had also failed to disclose his interest in 12 properties.
He had also presented to Mr Lehane the statement of affairs which he had used for his English bankruptcy when he knew that was incomplete and continued thereafter to fail to co-operate with his bankruptcy.
He also sought to “dictate” to Mr Lehane where he would be interviewed, insisting Mr Lehane travel to Derry or pay him to travel to Dublin.
He also “unilaterally” decided that claims by third parties concerning his estate were valid and therefore his estate had no claim to certain properties. He also decided his 20 per cent interest in some properties “and quite possibly 100 per cent interest” was of nil commercial value although there was no charge on the relevant properties.
Were it not for the investigations of Mr Lehane, Mr McFeely’s creditors would be at a loss as a result of his persistent breach of his statutory obligations, the judge added.
In these proceedings, Mr McFeely had “flatly refused” to provide the address or addresses where he now lives, failed to provide a sworn statement of affairs and has provided a statement of affairs prepared in his English bankruptcy which he knows to be false.
He had “greatly hindered” Mr Lehane in the administration of his estate and the effect of his non-cooperation was to severely prejudice the realisation of his estate for the benefit of his creditors.

Priory hall apts to go on sale early next year.Selling as New Priory....orderly queue please.

Joking aside these are probably the safest apts in the State.

€165,000 for a two bed?

Must be a tasty yield on that, even with the location?

IIRC, DCC has stipulated no BTL investors.

I doubt they can legally stop BTL landlords from buying them in the long term.