We normally don’t cover articles outside county Meath and immediate surrounds but when Cllr Alan Lawes and well known activist in dealing with people who find themselves homeless and in need of help, he will do the best he can. This story told by Alan shows the weakness in the housing, of a family in much need of support, from all of us of in the community but also the councils and government departments who you would expect to help. Cllr Alan Lawes in his own words;
”I have worked supporting homeless people for many years. I started volunteering in Dublin at first then after being elected for the first time as a local councillor in Navan in 2019 I concentrated on supporting homeless people in Co Meath. There were many cases over the years that shocked me because of the scandalous way vulnerable homeless people were being treated by councils and by emergency accommodation providers.
”But today just outside Mullingar at the Foxes Covert I witnessed a vulnerable homeless family being treated in a way I never thought I would have to experience in this country. To give you the short version of the story this family became homeless last year through no fault of their own. The family were promised permanent accommodation in January. That promise was broken and the Westmeath County Council told them May. Then they were promised June. In the meantime this mother and her 4 children one with special needs were bounced around from one emergency accommodation to another.
”Until they arrived in The Foxes Covert. They were given one room with 3 beds squeezed into it, with hardly any space. An on-suite with the sink blocked up and with no reliable access to hot water.
”The family had no cooking facilities were miles from the nearest shop and had to get taxis to go anywhere. The children couldn’t go to school and weren’t allowed to play in the B+B or outside and were confined to their room.
Originally when they arrived the landlady cooked for them for €20 a day. But when the mother complained about the conditions she stopped cooking leaving the family no access to food.
”I got involved and made representations by email to Westmeath County Council 5 times including to the CEO Barry Kehoe and Head of housing Jacinta Finney, without reply I also tried to ring at least 4 times including after the family were evicted with all their possessions onto the road this afternoon, again without reply. I delivered hot dinners and other food to the family during the week while waiting on a reply from the council that never came.
”Myself and one of my volunteers Sharon Ní Lionsigh travelled over to the meet the family again today (yesterday). Since I didn’t receive an answer from the council I was very concerned for the welfare of the children and wanted to highlight the families case further by doing a video showing the deplorable conditions to put pressure on the council to keep their promise to the family and move them to permanent safe accommodation.
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”But when the landlady seen me interviewing the mother she firstly locked the family out of their bedroom and then out of the B+B itself. Luckily enough I have a great team of people working with me with Johnstown Tidy Towns and Meath Homeless Outreach . I was able to call my friend Dave Hewitt who organised a very nice hotel for the family tonight paid for by Johnstown Tidy Towns. I was able to call my daughter Elaine and her friend Anna who helped transport the family to the hotel. I am just letting Westmeath County Council know I will be calling to see them very soon and there is no way they will get away with treating a vulnerable homeless mother with 4 children one with special needs like this ever again.
”I have attached all the videos and pictures I took today (yesterday). Please like and share this story to put as much pressure and rightfully shame onto the doors of Westmeath County Council as we can.”
Meath Live contacted Westmeath county Council for comment and as of now, we have received no reply.
This evening a comprise was made with Westmeath Co Co and the local Gardaí, accommodation was provided and confirmed to Cllr Alan Lawes by the Gardaí. He had occupied the reception in Westmeath Co Co offices refusing to leave unless some form of action was taken. Local media also covered the story today. We will keep you posted as to what follows. Cllr Lawes left the family to the place where they have been accommodated for this evening.
