Corporation's warden cutbacks leave old people in fear

The legendary tales of the Celtic Tiger's economic boom are of little comfort to those elderly people who live in fear because of Dublin Corporation cutbacks. The death of an elderly man and an investigation by Michael Pierse reveal the terror to which our old people are exposed.

Patrick Larkin, a 74 year old pensioner, died last Wednesday following a break-in at his flat in St. Brickin's Park, a senior citizen's complex on Arbour Hill. He had been tied up by intruders during the robbery and subsequently collapsed and died, due probably to anxiety incurred by the ordeal.

``No one, young or old, should have to die in this manner,'' North Inner City SF Councillor Christy Burke said.

The break-in, Burke said, was the fifth to occur in the locality in recent weeks and is part of an ongoing campaign, mostly by drug addicts, of targeting unprotected senior citizens. This has escalated as a result of local Government cutbacks. ``The reality of Dublin Corporation cutbacks is that it is the most vulnerable sections of our society who are being affected. Cutbacks in warden services, the majority of whom lived in the block complexes, has left many elderly tenants terrified in their homes.''

The Wardens, he explained, ``were a reassuring presence particularly at night-time. Their replacements - mobile patrols every five hours - do nothing to reassure the aged and lack the visibility of local resident wardens.''

Councillor Burke, who described the Corporation's tactics as ``mercenary'', has had discussions with St Brickin's residents and managed to unanimously pass a motion through City Hall calling on the City Manager to re-introduce a resident warden at the complex. He will also be convening a meeting with residents and Corporation Officials on Monday, to discuss fortified security measures in the flats. The Councillor called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, whose constituency includes St. Brickin's Park, to ``intervene and respond to the needs of his constituents.''

In Dublin's Dominick Street the situation is much the same. A local SF activist was travelling home on Wednesday night when he encountered the huddled figure of an elderly man lying outside Dominick Street Church. Paddy Bulman, an arthritic 85 year old man, had been lying there for four hours, having fallen due to his crippling disability, and was unable to pick himself up. He was ignored by many passersby and, he says, three passing Garda cars. The SF activist said he had thought the man was homeless or a drunkard, but found that he was sober, although severely distressed.

However, this ``Good Samaritan'' story does not end as simply as the biblical analogy. Having taken 30 minutes to escort Paddy to his flat, 100 yards away, the SF activist was taken aback by the appalling conditions to which the old age pensioner has been subjected.

His door lay open, kicked in by burglars three weeks previously, untouched by Dublin Corporation despite a visit from the Gardaí. The flat was dark - there was no lighting because the man was unable to lift his arms to the bulbs, or indeed care for himself in any adequate manner. Rubbish was piled up in the kitchen, mould was growing in the toilet and the conditions throughout were dickensian.

This is perhaps an extreme example of the poverty and degradation which pervades our society, undisturbed by the inflated presence of the so-called Celtic Tiger. Neighbours and the local Community Care Assistant said Paddy had refused entry to the local `Community Corps' and various voluntary organisations because of his fear of burglars - who in the past have impersonated Corporation Officials - and his physical disabilities, which make it difficult for him to walk as far as his own doorstep.

Paddy spoke of his fear after being threatened in his flat with a knife. He now wishes to seek help in attaining residential care, especially as the robbers continue to return. ``I'm not a bit ashamed to go through anything,'' he said, ``my time is nearly over.''

Around the corner another elderly resident, who didn't wish to be named, spoke of the apprehension and dread which has afflicted many tenants, young and old, as a result of the continuing presence of crazed drug addicts. She herself, a friendly and benign woman, was victim of a hoax attack last Christmas. A woman, claiming to be the local Ban Garda, entered the flat with two accomplices. The vulnerable old age pensioner was then held by the throat while her flat was rifled. ``I'm scared out of my wits,'' she said, conveying that thugs return at least every two days and very often at four or five in the morning. They often impersonate other neighbours or authority figures from the Corporation or Gardaí.

In an interview with An Phoblacht Harry Shiel, of the elderly care organisation Alone, castigated the Corporation decision to withdraw the full-time wardens three years ago. ``It's apalling that people so vulnerable should be the target of such cutbacks,'' he said.

It is clear that the `Celtic Tiger' economy has not purveyed any comfort for the elderly living alone in many areas, urban and rural, throughout the country. These people are not requesting anything vaguely lavish or excessive. Their only appeal is for a reasonable level of compassion and consideration. A society should be judged on the treatment of its weakest citizens - the anxiety and torment of these residents is a clear indictment of Government policy towards them.