In his community work, Cllr Alan Lawes comes across issues that at times are ”somewhat unbelievable” . One such case has come to his attention in recent months. He has discovered that 25 people are currently living in emergency accommodation in a house in an estate in Navan.

There are 15 people upstairs in five bedrooms, three people are in two rooms downstairs, seven people are in two cabins in the back garden of the estate of this semi-detached house.

Lawes has commented ”When I heard that 25 people were staying in a small house, I was concerned for their safety, in particular fire safety. On the 9th October I asked did Meath County Council have a fire certificate and proper insurance to cover the house?

He also went on to say that Meath County Council, ” had failed to protect homeless people in the past by placing them in portacabins” which had no fire certificates which was confirmed by Meath County Council themselves at Members Monthly meeting in March 2025. ” When he discovered that 25 people are now living in this house, ” he demanded to see a fire certificate and insurance.”

He further refutes the claim in a response to what Meath Live received suggesting no fire certificate is required (see below), he would challenge that statement stating ” the house has been divided into nine separate units” and it is his view ” there should be a fire certificate along with appropriate insurance to protect these people.”

Cllr Alan Lawes is no stranger to having to deal with a fire hazard. Indeed his own house went on fire and thankfully there were no tragedies that night but a lot of damage was done to the property. The councillor’s a keen defender of those who fall on tough times, whether they find themselves homeless seeking emergency accommodation or choosing to live rough on the streets, He will always do his best to help them. He has been an activist in getting as much help as the system will allow and by his own admission there’s a long way to go.

In this case, the house, originally a three bed semi had an application lodged for an additional bedroom but the application was never completed. Lawes knows how desperate the need for emergency accommodation is but in this particular situation the house is not safe for those living there. Meath Live has visited the estate and will not publish the exact address to protect the identity of the families.

We also understand the council pays private landlords providing emergency accommodation in the county, €40.00 to €80.00 per person, per night. In this instance the landlord is paid €7,000.00 per week. In a four week cycle €28,000, in a year €364,000. if the numbers stay at the lower level, based on the minimum payment of €40.00 per person. In addition each homeless family also pays €200.00 a month to the council.

What appalls Lawes is the fact that the most vulnerable in society find themselves in this situation but at least make it safe for them. ” Is 25 people living in a semi- detached house in Navan a safe environment ? ”, is the question he put to the council.

He has sent a number of emails to the Housing section including Director of Services, Fiona Fallon, and the Manager of the Navan Homerless section, and has also contacted the Meath Chief Fire officer, Sheila Broderick, to ensure the safety of the residents in the house. He has sent numerous emails since 9th October to the above individuals looking for answers. He finally did get a response on 23rd October’26, some 14 days later but not to his satisfaction. 

When Meath Live contacted the council for comment we were issued with this reply;

”The Council can confirm that the property is deemed to be a residential property and as such the Fire Service have no statutory remit for inspection or enforcement and is not required to have a fire safety certificate.

However, in line with the Standards of Emergency Accommodation supplied by the Private Sector Policy, approved by the Full Council in November 2025, a number of inspections have been carried out on this property during 2026 and the Council is satisfied there is a functioning fire detection and alarm system installed and maintained to current applicable standards and legislation.”

Meath Live has made a number of representations to a number of well established Insurance Brokers in the county. When asked their professional opinion if a house with 25 people would be insured, they were astonished at the facts presented. In no uncertain terms would they or any Insurance company quote to cover such a risk.

One of them was” lost for words” but one broker said if there is insurance on the house the fact that 25 people were living in it would void any policy without full declarations.