‘I just want a roof over my head for Christmas’

Seamus Enright

A Cavan man “fears” for his health if evicted from his home just one week before Christmas. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I’m put out on the street. I wouldn’t survive,” says Gerry Mulligan, who back in August received notice to vacate the house, his home of four years.

Gerry was given a deadline of noon today (Tuesday) to leave the Cootehill Road, Cavan Town property, when the landlord was due to have the keys collected.
But Gerry’s case, and indeed his search for alternative accommodation, have been greatly complicated by a glut of serious medical conditions with which he struggles on an almost daily basis.
Ranging from TB to epilepsy, Gerry regularly suffers from severe neurological seizures, which can lead to loss of consciousness as well as violent muscle contractions.
By his own admission, he is on a near weekly “basket of medication”, including a strong oral syringe-based prescription drug often used for treating anxiety disorder.
It is, Gerry confesses, a “terrifying” ordeal to live with.
The “stress” brought on by the eviction notice served, Gerry claims, has caused such episodes to become more pronounced of late.
So much so he was admitted to Cavan General Hospital at the weekend.
The local authority cover the cost of Gerry’s rent, which itself totals €700 per month, and is paid through the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) to the landlord.
The owner of the property, Gerry is aware, currently lives in Sacramento, USA, who has an agent working on his behalf here in Ireland. Gerry was informed the reason for the termination of the tenancy agreement is so that landlord can now press ahead with plans to sell the residential property.
The tenancy termination was subsequently referred by Gerry to the Residential Tenancies Board, who in his absence, adjudicated in favour of the landlord at a meeting in Athlone in October.

Given the current situation Gerry openly states he has no problem leaving the property, but is demanding the Council “step up to the plate” by providing him with suitable housing provision.

When asked specifically about Gerry’s case, that the local authority “does not comment on individual cases”.
 

For the full story, see tomorrow's Anglo-Celt newspaper.