16 December 1999 Edition
Homeless for the New Year
As the bells ring in the new millenium, not all the people of Ireland will revel in the celebrations.
Despite the Celtic Tiger, many in our society remain caught in the poverty trap, the unemployed, the homeless and the elderly especially, with little Christmas cheer or hope that their New Year wishes will ever be granted.
Another group facing an uncertain future are the remaining tenants of Lansdowne Apartments in Dublin's Drimnagh area. The landlord, Thomas Quinn, has served them with eviction orders. An eviction due on Monday 13 December was postponed when the tenants organised to oppose it. Dublin Corporation's sheriff announced a reprieve until New Year's Day. Several other tenants, including five young families, have eviction dates for 2 January 2000.
Backing the residents' call for Dublin Corporation to purchase the 50 or so apartments in the three-building complex, Sinn Féin representative for the area, Aengus Ó Snodaigh said:
``With a housing crisis in the city, it is disgraceful that exploitative landlords can make people homeless with the backing of the city's sheriff. This complex should be purchased, to prevent the remaining tenants from being made homeless and to provide homes for some of the thousands on Dublin's lengthening housing list.''
Despite the Celtic Tiger, many in our society remain caught in the poverty trap, the unemployed, the homeless and the elderly especially, with little Christmas cheer or hope that their New Year wishes will ever be granted.
Another group facing an uncertain future are the remaining tenants of Lansdowne Apartments in Dublin's Drimnagh area. The landlord, Thomas Quinn, has served them with eviction orders. An eviction due on Monday 13 December was postponed when the tenants organised to oppose it. Dublin Corporation's sheriff announced a reprieve until New Year's Day. Several other tenants, including five young families, have eviction dates for 2 January 2000.
Backing the residents' call for Dublin Corporation to purchase the 50 or so apartments in the three-building complex, Sinn Féin representative for the area, Aengus Ó Snodaigh said:
``With a housing crisis in the city, it is disgraceful that exploitative landlords can make people homeless with the backing of the city's sheriff. This complex should be purchased, to prevent the remaining tenants from being made homeless and to provide homes for some of the thousands on Dublin's lengthening housing list.''