Resistance Writings 2019
There is an elderly lady I wish to help out in the new year she has no friends no family and tonight she will be all alone ,she is disabled and in spite of her disability she still tries to provide for those she sees as been worse off ,I cannot do anything tonight to alleviate the lonliness she feels ,,,I cannot sit with her I cannot comfort her as she endures daily agonisng pain nor can I comfort her at night when she closes her eyes and endures the nightmares, I cannot reassure her that everything will be all right because I don't know if it will be , All I can offer her is hope ,which is the cruellest thing you can offer if you cannot deliver it ,so many times she has been let down ,made promises that were not kept that she has even giving up on hope itself.For seven years I have been helping such people,,, ,seven years a slave to my compassion,,seven years a slave to my humanity I am tired and getting old myself ,I have resolved hundreds of cases where I was the victor next time I may be the victim.
Co-archived Eddie Phelan
Ive just being out and about and theres a girl i do see all the time who is homeless and on the streets. So i brought her down some warm clothes and shoes and she refused to take them of me because someone would take them of her! This broke my heart, i asked her who would take them, she said anyone that would walk pass. What sort of person would take from someone who has nothing? There are some heartless b******s out there
Co-archived Samantha Balfe
After living in a very small studio apartment, with no proper heating, out in the sticks, I gave up everything Ireland had to offer and moved “back where I came from”, my home country.
Here are some of the stories I swapped while looking for a place to rent in Galway: A gay man was put in the position he had to lurk around his boyfriend’s house “until it was clear” and make sure the landlord, an elderly, more traditional man, wouldn’t take note of their otherwise happy relationship. It must have been quite a nice place to put up with that.
A taxi driver was taking all kinds of abuse from his landlord. He loved the place he was renting. Not because it was nice, or comfortable, or even up to standards, but because it was somewhat close to his daughter’s school. He said being black doesn’t work to his advantage.
A friend was seriously considering asking a colleague to pose as his girlfriend just to get an edge on the housing market. Word goes around it’s easier to find something decent if you’re in a relationship, although some discriminate the other way around.
People fix up houses, are willing to renovate entirely or pay months in advance, only to be thrown out as soon as the landlord feels he/she can get a better offer.
A tattoo artist (fairly good one actually) was taking turns living at friends’ places because his job was not up to standards.
Another guy had seen his rent raise to more than half of his entire salary basically overnight.
What can you do? It’s a seller’s market. A take-it-or-leave-it situation that people in Ireland are being put through.
Here are some of the stories I swapped while looking for a place to rent in Galway: A gay man was put in the position he had to lurk around his boyfriend’s house “until it was clear” and make sure the landlord, an elderly, more traditional man, wouldn’t take note of their otherwise happy relationship. It must have been quite a nice place to put up with that.
A taxi driver was taking all kinds of abuse from his landlord. He loved the place he was renting. Not because it was nice, or comfortable, or even up to standards, but because it was somewhat close to his daughter’s school. He said being black doesn’t work to his advantage.
A friend was seriously considering asking a colleague to pose as his girlfriend just to get an edge on the housing market. Word goes around it’s easier to find something decent if you’re in a relationship, although some discriminate the other way around.
People fix up houses, are willing to renovate entirely or pay months in advance, only to be thrown out as soon as the landlord feels he/she can get a better offer.
A tattoo artist (fairly good one actually) was taking turns living at friends’ places because his job was not up to standards.
Another guy had seen his rent raise to more than half of his entire salary basically overnight.
What can you do? It’s a seller’s market. A take-it-or-leave-it situation that people in Ireland are being put through.
Co-archived My Housing Crisis - Galway
Anonymous post⚠️
About Ten years ago my husband and myself bought a house and the mortgage was extremely high. He worked as a photographer and business was great and I worked part time in a large store, so we could keep the payments up. I had three teenagers going to public college at the time , so had books, uniform etc to pay for , but we coped. Then the recession hit and business went down hill and the place I worked for closed. My husband could only get bits of work here and there so anything we had saved went on the mortgage and we cut back on everything. My mother helped us when we were stuck on a few mortgage payments but we ended up in arrears. I got another part time job but with all the worry and stress of getting letters from the bank my husband had a massive stroke and I had to give up my job to look after him. Because he had his own business we could not get the social welfare and I ended up moving my kids out of there rooms and letting out m their room. I had to put my pride in my pocket and go to the Vincent De paul for food coming up to Christmas but it was either that or starve. My kids got part time work in the evening and I also sold things at markets to make up the mortgage arrears. I would be laughing and joking but behind I was just broken, but I didn't want my kids to see it. My dad passed away in between all this and I now have my elderly mam living with me now, I love having her and she has helped us over some very high hurdle's. I tell her everything is ok now but the bank are still sending threatening letters and I am fighting them. They got their billions back when they were bailed out by the tax payer which myself and my husband paid all our lives and now they are evicting famlies and making them homeless. I am by no means a youngster and I don't think I have had a decent night's sleep in the past few years. Lucky my husband is doing ok and is fighting them with me and I know there are people out there much much worse off then me. All I can say is May God Forgive this corrupt Government Because I NEVER WILL. They caused all this and much worse. They spent our country's money on the banks, lining their own pockets, buy voting machines which were a joke, paid millions for having dignitrys from other countries visiting, etc etc etc While people were dying on the streets all over Ireland. Bring Trump, The Queen, The pope, etc around all the streets with homeless people trying to keep warm instead of just driving them straight to the President's house or the Dail. Show the World the reality of the True Horror of Ireland. I have to stop now as I'm actually getting too worked up. I will be there on the 5th with All my family. Go Maith. Xxxxxx
About Ten years ago my husband and myself bought a house and the mortgage was extremely high. He worked as a photographer and business was great and I worked part time in a large store, so we could keep the payments up. I had three teenagers going to public college at the time , so had books, uniform etc to pay for , but we coped. Then the recession hit and business went down hill and the place I worked for closed. My husband could only get bits of work here and there so anything we had saved went on the mortgage and we cut back on everything. My mother helped us when we were stuck on a few mortgage payments but we ended up in arrears. I got another part time job but with all the worry and stress of getting letters from the bank my husband had a massive stroke and I had to give up my job to look after him. Because he had his own business we could not get the social welfare and I ended up moving my kids out of there rooms and letting out m their room. I had to put my pride in my pocket and go to the Vincent De paul for food coming up to Christmas but it was either that or starve. My kids got part time work in the evening and I also sold things at markets to make up the mortgage arrears. I would be laughing and joking but behind I was just broken, but I didn't want my kids to see it. My dad passed away in between all this and I now have my elderly mam living with me now, I love having her and she has helped us over some very high hurdle's. I tell her everything is ok now but the bank are still sending threatening letters and I am fighting them. They got their billions back when they were bailed out by the tax payer which myself and my husband paid all our lives and now they are evicting famlies and making them homeless. I am by no means a youngster and I don't think I have had a decent night's sleep in the past few years. Lucky my husband is doing ok and is fighting them with me and I know there are people out there much much worse off then me. All I can say is May God Forgive this corrupt Government Because I NEVER WILL. They caused all this and much worse. They spent our country's money on the banks, lining their own pockets, buy voting machines which were a joke, paid millions for having dignitrys from other countries visiting, etc etc etc While people were dying on the streets all over Ireland. Bring Trump, The Queen, The pope, etc around all the streets with homeless people trying to keep warm instead of just driving them straight to the President's house or the Dail. Show the World the reality of the True Horror of Ireland. I have to stop now as I'm actually getting too worked up. I will be there on the 5th with All my family. Go Maith. Xxxxxx
Co-archived Daiga Sunepa
The auction of stolen farms and land scheduled for tomorrow in Wilson's auctioneers Naas road, has been cancelled due to pressure applied by anti-eviction activists. The planned protest/shutdown is cancelled.
#BoycottLandGrabbers.
#BoycottLandGrabbers.
Co-archived Pól Ó Scanaill
JUST RECIEVED THIS MESSAGE FROM A GIRL WHO I WILL KEEP ANONYMOUS FOR HER OWN PRIVACY
THIS IS THE STRUGGLING OF THE IRISH PEOPLE I SEE EVERYDAY AND ITS DISGRACEFUL THAT NOTHING HAS GOT BETTER AND ITS LOOKING LIKE ITS NOT GETTING BETTER ANYTIME SOON.
STEPHEN.
Hey i see your involved in the MAA page i was just wondering if you could help me out. Im searching endlessly the last 3 or 4 months for a 2 or 3 bed in mullingar area and im finding it hard to even get a viewing! Im currently in a really bad house with my 6 year old and i have abdolutly no means of heating and landlord is refusing to do anything with the house for me so i have no choice but to move but i cant find anything! Really starting to panic now as im due a baby in 3 weeks and im terrified to bring her back to a house without any heating as she will end up very sick! Ive been to TDs a d meetings with the council but never offered a house they wont even entertain me talking abiut getting a house only the HAP scheme but like i said im finding it so hard to even get viewings! Have you got any advice for me or could you please keep me up to date with the propertys coming up for rent in the area?
THIS IS THE STRUGGLING OF THE IRISH PEOPLE I SEE EVERYDAY AND ITS DISGRACEFUL THAT NOTHING HAS GOT BETTER AND ITS LOOKING LIKE ITS NOT GETTING BETTER ANYTIME SOON.
STEPHEN.
Hey i see your involved in the MAA page i was just wondering if you could help me out. Im searching endlessly the last 3 or 4 months for a 2 or 3 bed in mullingar area and im finding it hard to even get a viewing! Im currently in a really bad house with my 6 year old and i have abdolutly no means of heating and landlord is refusing to do anything with the house for me so i have no choice but to move but i cant find anything! Really starting to panic now as im due a baby in 3 weeks and im terrified to bring her back to a house without any heating as she will end up very sick! Ive been to TDs a d meetings with the council but never offered a house they wont even entertain me talking abiut getting a house only the HAP scheme but like i said im finding it so hard to even get viewings! Have you got any advice for me or could you please keep me up to date with the propertys coming up for rent in the area?
Co-archived Midlands Affordable Accommodation
Sunday 25th August
what can we say about tonight's soup run. I know i keep saying it is getting worse every time we go out. But tonight it went to another level. Everyone of the volunteers said it was the busiest ever. We had a lot of food which was cooked in our own kitchen we also had a lot of food brought in by people we also had Tesco in temple bar. As well as Bewleys on grafton St give us a load of donations to. Also the pizzas from domino's. We had people pulling up in cars with bags of stuff for us. I had a good chap with a lovely couple of American tourists he said he was watching for a while and he could not believe how many people we were feeding. And when i told him we rely on donations from the public to help carry out our services he was shocked. He asked did our government not help out. I told him our government only care about people with money no one else. We brought up 2 massive boxes of kit kats donated by Dealz in portlaoise a lot of clothes and toiletries. They did not last long as i said at the start of this tonight brought a soup run to a whole new level the crowds of people tonight was frightening. Some thing has to be done about this it is now getting totally out of hand at how many people rely on soup runs to get food
what can we say about tonight's soup run. I know i keep saying it is getting worse every time we go out. But tonight it went to another level. Everyone of the volunteers said it was the busiest ever. We had a lot of food which was cooked in our own kitchen we also had a lot of food brought in by people we also had Tesco in temple bar. As well as Bewleys on grafton St give us a load of donations to. Also the pizzas from domino's. We had people pulling up in cars with bags of stuff for us. I had a good chap with a lovely couple of American tourists he said he was watching for a while and he could not believe how many people we were feeding. And when i told him we rely on donations from the public to help carry out our services he was shocked. He asked did our government not help out. I told him our government only care about people with money no one else. We brought up 2 massive boxes of kit kats donated by Dealz in portlaoise a lot of clothes and toiletries. They did not last long as i said at the start of this tonight brought a soup run to a whole new level the crowds of people tonight was frightening. Some thing has to be done about this it is now getting totally out of hand at how many people rely on soup runs to get food
Co-archived Tom Duffy
Victory for the Renters of 54 South Richmond Street who were subjected to a disgraceful illegal eviction, on May 7th, at the hands of the Vultures Val Issuer DAC.
The RTB adjudication hearing took place over two days in July with the applicant tenants and us in Dublin Renters' Union, all volunteer members who put in great work representing the tenants up against the highly paid Landlord's representatives, Ronan McCormack, Belgrave Property Management, Derek Connolly, Lugus Capital and solicitor Michael Quinlan of Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors.
The Adjudication report by Laura Farrell has just been issued and the Determination Order(subject to appeal) states that:
1. The Notice of Termination is invalid.
2. The Landlord shall pay €10,000 to the applicant tenants in damages.
Thanks very much to all involved and everyone who has supported the tenants and us in Dublin Renters' Union with our actions and campaigns fighting to keep people secure in their homes.
The battle against the vultures, Val Issuer DAC and their Government facilitators continues and needs all your support. The Renters United will never be defeated. Solidarity.
The RTB adjudication hearing took place over two days in July with the applicant tenants and us in Dublin Renters' Union, all volunteer members who put in great work representing the tenants up against the highly paid Landlord's representatives, Ronan McCormack, Belgrave Property Management, Derek Connolly, Lugus Capital and solicitor Michael Quinlan of Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors.
The Adjudication report by Laura Farrell has just been issued and the Determination Order(subject to appeal) states that:
1. The Notice of Termination is invalid.
2. The Landlord shall pay €10,000 to the applicant tenants in damages.
Thanks very much to all involved and everyone who has supported the tenants and us in Dublin Renters' Union with our actions and campaigns fighting to keep people secure in their homes.
The battle against the vultures, Val Issuer DAC and their Government facilitators continues and needs all your support. The Renters United will never be defeated. Solidarity.
Co-archived Dublin Renters Union
Sir, –
Why is the Irish State supporting the exploitation of its citizens? It is a very simple, yet unanswered question, in regard to the ongoing rip-off of Irish mortgage holders by Irish banks.
We in Ireland pay on average 4.3 per cent, more than four times the mortgage rate being charged by German banks. The Government knows this and yet, with a simple solution to hand, it allows this to continue unhampered. Why? How can it continue to allow its citizens to be treated in this manner?
A friend of mine in Frankfurt confirmed to me recently that he had been offered a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage for the purchase of a home by Commerzbank at 0.89 per cent. Yes, 0.89 per cent. And why do you think, for example, the likes of KBC are so keen to stay in Ireland? They are making a fortune here.
The solution is simple. The Government instructs AIB, of which it owns 70 per cent, and Permanent TSB, of which it owns 75 per cent, to lower their variable mortgage home loan rates to European average rates for a minimum of five years or until there is proper open access to the EU banking market (and hence European banking rates) for Irish customers. Very quickly thereafter, the others, such as Bank of Ireland, etc, will be forced to follow.
At least then “we the people” will get charged an equitable home loan mortgage interest rate. – Yours, etc,
EAMON O’BRIEN,
Dublin 18.
Why is the Irish State supporting the exploitation of its citizens? It is a very simple, yet unanswered question, in regard to the ongoing rip-off of Irish mortgage holders by Irish banks.
We in Ireland pay on average 4.3 per cent, more than four times the mortgage rate being charged by German banks. The Government knows this and yet, with a simple solution to hand, it allows this to continue unhampered. Why? How can it continue to allow its citizens to be treated in this manner?
A friend of mine in Frankfurt confirmed to me recently that he had been offered a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage for the purchase of a home by Commerzbank at 0.89 per cent. Yes, 0.89 per cent. And why do you think, for example, the likes of KBC are so keen to stay in Ireland? They are making a fortune here.
The solution is simple. The Government instructs AIB, of which it owns 70 per cent, and Permanent TSB, of which it owns 75 per cent, to lower their variable mortgage home loan rates to European average rates for a minimum of five years or until there is proper open access to the EU banking market (and hence European banking rates) for Irish customers. Very quickly thereafter, the others, such as Bank of Ireland, etc, will be forced to follow.
At least then “we the people” will get charged an equitable home loan mortgage interest rate. – Yours, etc,
EAMON O’BRIEN,
Dublin 18.
Co-archived EAMON O’BRIEN, Dublin 18.
Co-archived Gillian Noonan
October 1924
Six months after the government had passed the housing act which gave purchase subsidies of between £60 to £100 to middle class households, the Minister for Industry and Commerce told the Dail in a debate on unemployment and welfare assistance that "there are certain limited funds at our disposal. People may have to die in this country and may have to die through starvation"
--- Sins of the Father by Dr Conor McCabe. Mandatory reading and at long last I have gotten around to it.
Six months after the government had passed the housing act which gave purchase subsidies of between £60 to £100 to middle class households, the Minister for Industry and Commerce told the Dail in a debate on unemployment and welfare assistance that "there are certain limited funds at our disposal. People may have to die in this country and may have to die through starvation"
--- Sins of the Father by Dr Conor McCabe. Mandatory reading and at long last I have gotten around to it.
Co-archived Alex KH
I have an emergency homeless family of 7 two adults 5 kids about sleep in their car Wicklow county council has funded them 150 a night till Thursday but there is no where that cheap for a family of seven in Wicklow now where at all they have a budget of 1050 a week please they are in Balitinglas please help anyone
Co-archived Right2Housing Wicklow
Over €1100 a month per bedroom for this student housing but don't worry, you get FREE coffee and a pastry every morning! Slash your food bill by 10% and use the savings to pay for your room!
Co-archived Best of the housing crisis
"Am I missing something here? Hipster fucking bullshit.
If the middle class gobshites in the comments really want to 'experience the life', they should try going shopping whilst being followed around by a security guard, try to raise children whilst living in a car park without facilities, or beside a city dump after their families have been burned to death because councils won't provide sites. Try getting a landlord to rent to them and being told no because of their surname or accent. They should try being hated wherever they go, being expected to defend or be a spokesperson for every member of their community or being told that they're 'a credit' and patted on the head for 'speaking so well'. They should try having to teach their children that they're going to face racism and prejudice every day of their lives, that they'll be segregated at school and treated differently to their settled friends, then wonder why the kids dont want to go to school. They should try knowing that 'woke' people will smile into their face and feel really liberal by having them as a friend, yet do nothing when their other friends make racial slurs. They should try applying for a job knowing they'll be turned away before they've even got through the door, or try to book a venue for a wedding or funeral and have it cancelled on the day of the event in question. They should try getting served in a bar. They should try to compete against outsiders to write reports or studies on their own community, and constantly hit brick walls. They should feel what its like to be someone else's 'project', a project they'll be paid for whilst they themselves wont have a chance of getting funded. They should see what it's like to live with horrendous TV programmes that promote negative stereotypes about them, watched and believed by the kind of twats who rub their hands together when yet another local councillor or MP says 'Hitler had the right idea' in order to get votes. The list goes on.
This is privilege at its finest. Going on day trips and being able to pitch up and act the Traveller for a few days knowing that you'll not be hassled by locals or police. 'Experiencing the life'? Theyd be the first to complain if a load of Travellers pitched up beside their house.
This is a white middle class poverty safari. Fuck right off."
If the middle class gobshites in the comments really want to 'experience the life', they should try going shopping whilst being followed around by a security guard, try to raise children whilst living in a car park without facilities, or beside a city dump after their families have been burned to death because councils won't provide sites. Try getting a landlord to rent to them and being told no because of their surname or accent. They should try being hated wherever they go, being expected to defend or be a spokesperson for every member of their community or being told that they're 'a credit' and patted on the head for 'speaking so well'. They should try having to teach their children that they're going to face racism and prejudice every day of their lives, that they'll be segregated at school and treated differently to their settled friends, then wonder why the kids dont want to go to school. They should try knowing that 'woke' people will smile into their face and feel really liberal by having them as a friend, yet do nothing when their other friends make racial slurs. They should try applying for a job knowing they'll be turned away before they've even got through the door, or try to book a venue for a wedding or funeral and have it cancelled on the day of the event in question. They should try getting served in a bar. They should try to compete against outsiders to write reports or studies on their own community, and constantly hit brick walls. They should feel what its like to be someone else's 'project', a project they'll be paid for whilst they themselves wont have a chance of getting funded. They should see what it's like to live with horrendous TV programmes that promote negative stereotypes about them, watched and believed by the kind of twats who rub their hands together when yet another local councillor or MP says 'Hitler had the right idea' in order to get votes. The list goes on.
This is privilege at its finest. Going on day trips and being able to pitch up and act the Traveller for a few days knowing that you'll not be hassled by locals or police. 'Experiencing the life'? Theyd be the first to complain if a load of Travellers pitched up beside their house.
This is a white middle class poverty safari. Fuck right off."
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
From the heart of a mica affected homeowner.
For a while now I've felt drawn to write around my heartfelt experience of living in a mica affected home. It will be a release as such, for me, and from me. A release, in part at least, of some of the grief I carry in my heart at the loss of my feeling of being at home in my home. And in another way, a release of knowledge and understanding, offered to those whose hearts and homes are not affected. This experience has somewhat of a lottery feel to it. Who chose it? Noone. Who has fallen victim to it? Random home seekers. They invested. Their hearts, their minds, their courage, their excitement, their time, their savings, their trust, their gut feelings, their hopes, their dreams. Their futures, their presents. Their family lives. They say home is where the heart is. A haven to retreat to. To rest, to heal, to gather, to love, to live, to breathe. Home. I miss it.
There's a blow that is dealt with the news that your house has been built with mica blocks. The news lands deep in the pit of your stomach like a foul swoop from from a large fist. It hits hard, your mental comprehension of what news has just been delivered coming slowly, yet oh so surely, behind the physical blow. Something shifts inside you, something irreversible. The significance of the scale of the problem begins to seep in, little by little, moment by moment. You can't quite grasp it, this blow. This makes no sense. At all. Yet it's happening. Here, now, in your home, in your heart. It's not quite tangible, yet you see it. You feel it. It's etched in your heart, the shock. It's written in your walls. You see them now, the cracks. In a different way. You've often noticed them, casting an eye in their direction while carrying out some menial household task. Pouring the kids cereal, the subtlest feeling of dis-ease stirs. What's going on in my gut? Is this normal, this subtle yet growing cracking? What else could it be, but normal? There's nothing but normal to consider. You did the survey. You bought new. You chose wisely and didn't rush in. You took all the recommended steps. And yet, something's not right. Now, the wondering turns to knowing. Now, you miss the wondering, the ignorance, the pre-knowing. Now it is confirmed. Something is very very wrong.
The news brings with it a shroud of heaviness that weighs in your heart and head. Because of the very nature of the devastating news, you find yourself and your family quite literally surrounded by the gravity of the situation. The very fabric of your home is infected. A reporter refers to it as a cancer in the block. You look at it, your home, attempting with your meagre untrained eye to assess the severity of the infection. So many questions. Who can help? How do we fix this? What's the prognosis? How can I fix my home? Can it be fixed? Who will pay for it? What did we miss? Why? Who's at fault? How bad is it? How did my surveyor not see this? How did I not see this? Can my house be insured? Must I pay property tax? Where do I turn? And the biggest one.....are my children safe in our home? These cracks above my daughter's bed, I see them. In the corner of my eye as I read her bedtime story. What's happened here? I don't understand. I did everything right, yet it's all wrong.
"Mum, what's that big crack going across my wall?"
Reassure.
I am grieving. The loss of my beautiful home. Of peace in my home, and in my mind. The loss of delight in settling into the house I had aspired to for so long. The loss of the joy in returning home in the evening after a busy day out. The loss of the joy of home decor, dinner parties and furniture shopping. Ultimately, the loss of owning a true home.
I pay for it, this true home. I pay my mortgage, my property tax, my utility bills, my repairs. Yet I don't have it.
Trust, I decide. Trust. Keep trusting. News trickles of government redress. Hope. Light. Daring excitement. Really?
Time passes......and passes.......more cracks. Deterioration. Visible and invisible.
I wait. And trust.
Redress.
From the heart of a mica affected homeowner.
For a while now I've felt drawn to write around my heartfelt experience of living in a mica affected home. It will be a release as such, for me, and from me. A release, in part at least, of some of the grief I carry in my heart at the loss of my feeling of being at home in my home. And in another way, a release of knowledge and understanding, offered to those whose hearts and homes are not affected. This experience has somewhat of a lottery feel to it. Who chose it? Noone. Who has fallen victim to it? Random home seekers. They invested. Their hearts, their minds, their courage, their excitement, their time, their savings, their trust, their gut feelings, their hopes, their dreams. Their futures, their presents. Their family lives. They say home is where the heart is. A haven to retreat to. To rest, to heal, to gather, to love, to live, to breathe. Home. I miss it.
There's a blow that is dealt with the news that your house has been built with mica blocks. The news lands deep in the pit of your stomach like a foul swoop from from a large fist. It hits hard, your mental comprehension of what news has just been delivered coming slowly, yet oh so surely, behind the physical blow. Something shifts inside you, something irreversible. The significance of the scale of the problem begins to seep in, little by little, moment by moment. You can't quite grasp it, this blow. This makes no sense. At all. Yet it's happening. Here, now, in your home, in your heart. It's not quite tangible, yet you see it. You feel it. It's etched in your heart, the shock. It's written in your walls. You see them now, the cracks. In a different way. You've often noticed them, casting an eye in their direction while carrying out some menial household task. Pouring the kids cereal, the subtlest feeling of dis-ease stirs. What's going on in my gut? Is this normal, this subtle yet growing cracking? What else could it be, but normal? There's nothing but normal to consider. You did the survey. You bought new. You chose wisely and didn't rush in. You took all the recommended steps. And yet, something's not right. Now, the wondering turns to knowing. Now, you miss the wondering, the ignorance, the pre-knowing. Now it is confirmed. Something is very very wrong.
The news brings with it a shroud of heaviness that weighs in your heart and head. Because of the very nature of the devastating news, you find yourself and your family quite literally surrounded by the gravity of the situation. The very fabric of your home is infected. A reporter refers to it as a cancer in the block. You look at it, your home, attempting with your meagre untrained eye to assess the severity of the infection. So many questions. Who can help? How do we fix this? What's the prognosis? How can I fix my home? Can it be fixed? Who will pay for it? What did we miss? Why? Who's at fault? How bad is it? How did my surveyor not see this? How did I not see this? Can my house be insured? Must I pay property tax? Where do I turn? And the biggest one.....are my children safe in our home? These cracks above my daughter's bed, I see them. In the corner of my eye as I read her bedtime story. What's happened here? I don't understand. I did everything right, yet it's all wrong.
"Mum, what's that big crack going across my wall?"
Reassure.
I am grieving. The loss of my beautiful home. Of peace in my home, and in my mind. The loss of delight in settling into the house I had aspired to for so long. The loss of the joy in returning home in the evening after a busy day out. The loss of the joy of home decor, dinner parties and furniture shopping. Ultimately, the loss of owning a true home.
I pay for it, this true home. I pay my mortgage, my property tax, my utility bills, my repairs. Yet I don't have it.
Trust, I decide. Trust. Keep trusting. News trickles of government redress. Hope. Light. Daring excitement. Really?
Time passes......and passes.......more cracks. Deterioration. Visible and invisible.
I wait. And trust.
Redress.
Co-archived Mica Action Group
Last night was very busy in Dublin on the two routes. As usual everyone we came across was so grateful for everything we gave them.
We met a woman who had left her abusive husband. Her mother was minding her 4 young children while she sorted herself out.
We met a lad just out from prison who wanted to turn his life around, who was so delighted to receive a sleeping bag and some toiletries. Another young lad, who is starting a job next week,with nowhere to stay, afraid of living rough and afraid of relapsing touched us all. He was visibly upset and thankfully we were able to give him sandwiches, cakes and a few treats to cheer him up as well as get him in to a hostel. We made that little bit of a difference to him tonight. We would not be able to do the work that we do if it wasn't for all the support we get from you.
So thank you, thank you, thank you.
Special thanks to The Bay Tree Portlaoise for their cakes each week, Traceys for their stews and sandwiches, the Sweet Bakery for their breads each day. Thank you also the the gentlemen who saw us at Traceys and gave us a kind donation even before we set out!
Our amazing volunteers last night were Catherine, Sharon, Ann, Mary Mc, Mary D, Robert and Donal along with our committee members Catherine, Sharon, Joe and Martin.
We met a woman who had left her abusive husband. Her mother was minding her 4 young children while she sorted herself out.
We met a lad just out from prison who wanted to turn his life around, who was so delighted to receive a sleeping bag and some toiletries. Another young lad, who is starting a job next week,with nowhere to stay, afraid of living rough and afraid of relapsing touched us all. He was visibly upset and thankfully we were able to give him sandwiches, cakes and a few treats to cheer him up as well as get him in to a hostel. We made that little bit of a difference to him tonight. We would not be able to do the work that we do if it wasn't for all the support we get from you.
So thank you, thank you, thank you.
Special thanks to The Bay Tree Portlaoise for their cakes each week, Traceys for their stews and sandwiches, the Sweet Bakery for their breads each day. Thank you also the the gentlemen who saw us at Traceys and gave us a kind donation even before we set out!
Our amazing volunteers last night were Catherine, Sharon, Ann, Mary Mc, Mary D, Robert and Donal along with our committee members Catherine, Sharon, Joe and Martin.
Co-archived PATH Portlaoise action to homelessness
3 hrs · Last night was very busy in Dublin on the two routes. As usual everyone we came across was so grateful for everything we gave them.
We met a woman who had left her abusive husband. Her mother was minding her 4 young children while she sorted herself out.
We met a lad just out from prison who wanted to turn his life around, who was so delighted to receive a sleeping bag and some toiletries. Another young lad, who is starting a job next week,with nowhere to stay, afraid of living rough and afraid of relapsing touched us all. He was visibly upset and thankfully we were able to give him sandwiches, cakes and a few treats to cheer him up as well as get him in to a hostel. We made that little bit of a difference to him tonight. We would not be able to do the work that we do if it wasn't for all the support we get from you.
So thank you, thank you, thank you.
Special thanks to The Bay Tree Portlaoise for their cakes each week, Traceys for their stews and sandwiches, the Sweet Bakery for their breads each day. Thank you also the the gentlemen who saw us at Traceys and gave us a kind donation even before we set out!
Our amazing volunteers last night were Catherine, Sharon, Ann, Mary Mc, Mary D, Robert and Donal along with our committee members Catherine, Sharon, Joe and Martin.
3 hrs · Last night was very busy in Dublin on the two routes. As usual everyone we came across was so grateful for everything we gave them.
We met a woman who had left her abusive husband. Her mother was minding her 4 young children while she sorted herself out.
We met a lad just out from prison who wanted to turn his life around, who was so delighted to receive a sleeping bag and some toiletries. Another young lad, who is starting a job next week,with nowhere to stay, afraid of living rough and afraid of relapsing touched us all. He was visibly upset and thankfully we were able to give him sandwiches, cakes and a few treats to cheer him up as well as get him in to a hostel. We made that little bit of a difference to him tonight. We would not be able to do the work that we do if it wasn't for all the support we get from you.
So thank you, thank you, thank you.
Special thanks to The Bay Tree Portlaoise for their cakes each week, Traceys for their stews and sandwiches, the Sweet Bakery for their breads each day. Thank you also the the gentlemen who saw us at Traceys and gave us a kind donation even before we set out!
Our amazing volunteers last night were Catherine, Sharon, Ann, Mary Mc, Mary D, Robert and Donal along with our committee members Catherine, Sharon, Joe and Martin.
Ivan Yeats throwing Bullshit that the IRA are running Sinn Fein, they never asks about Fine Gael being in the pockets of hedge fund managers, vulture funds , property developers and warmongers like Trump.
Co-archived Peadar Hopkins
Dear friends, direct provision is like the gift that keeps on giving. I will share with you something that has just happened a few minutes ago, 7.10pm that demonstrates how they go an extra mile to dehumanise, degrade and both old and young residents. The fact that I have to share this on a public platform alone shows how horrendous the system and its rules are. I want to know who decides on these rules that DP centres run on daily specifically knockalisheen direct provision centre.
I happened to be in the bathroom for reasons I wont disclose. I realised while in there that there is no toilet paper in the bathroom (happens occasionally when you live with 3 children in the room). As I would normally do, I called on my 11 year old to pass me a roll, she emerges a few seconds later to say we are all out. I ask her to go to reception ( where we get our supplies, eg tissue) to get some tissue while I wait in the bathroom. She goes there with her friend of a similar age, they come back after a few short minutes without the tissue and say that they have been told by the security at reception that children can't collect tissue and to tell me to come myself, this is despite the fact that they have explained to them that I am waiting in the bathroom. I ask the girls to go back to them and ask for the manager on duty or the reception staff ( normally they go home at 8pm, so I am expecting one of them to be in) or alternatively as for their names so I know who to name on my formal complaint. The girls go and come back after a few minutes to tell me that the 2 men have said "you do not need to know my name, I am here all day, tell her to come herself". The girls tell me that the whole time they where ridiculed by the security, my daughter says "they were laughing and smearing at us".
This is not my first incident involving tissue at knockalisheen. What hard does it do the centre or the system to hand a roll of tissue paper to a 11 year old? They have a record that they complete every single time you get toilet paper, a 11 year old is fully capable of giving our room number. I want to understand why getting a roll of tissue has to be so dramatic. I am about to go and face these grown man that refuse to give out a simple roll of tissue paper.
I happened to be in the bathroom for reasons I wont disclose. I realised while in there that there is no toilet paper in the bathroom (happens occasionally when you live with 3 children in the room). As I would normally do, I called on my 11 year old to pass me a roll, she emerges a few seconds later to say we are all out. I ask her to go to reception ( where we get our supplies, eg tissue) to get some tissue while I wait in the bathroom. She goes there with her friend of a similar age, they come back after a few short minutes without the tissue and say that they have been told by the security at reception that children can't collect tissue and to tell me to come myself, this is despite the fact that they have explained to them that I am waiting in the bathroom. I ask the girls to go back to them and ask for the manager on duty or the reception staff ( normally they go home at 8pm, so I am expecting one of them to be in) or alternatively as for their names so I know who to name on my formal complaint. The girls go and come back after a few minutes to tell me that the 2 men have said "you do not need to know my name, I am here all day, tell her to come herself". The girls tell me that the whole time they where ridiculed by the security, my daughter says "they were laughing and smearing at us".
This is not my first incident involving tissue at knockalisheen. What hard does it do the centre or the system to hand a roll of tissue paper to a 11 year old? They have a record that they complete every single time you get toilet paper, a 11 year old is fully capable of giving our room number. I want to understand why getting a roll of tissue has to be so dramatic. I am about to go and face these grown man that refuse to give out a simple roll of tissue paper.
Co-archived Say No to Direct Provision in Ireland
The Tipperary farmer's family do not want his name to be published and have asked for space and privacy to grieve. His death has not been reported in the media. Nevertheless, news of his passing has struck a chilling chord in rural communities across the country
Co-archived Ireland Says No
The Irish Times came out squarely behind property investment fund REIT's over the weekend in defense of Margaret Sweeney's €680,000 salary as head of Ires REIT. The REIT hit the headlines last year when it failed in its attempt to raise rents in The Maples, Sandyford by 30%. People power halted it in its tracks.
The Irish Times goes on to claim that we need these sort of investment funds to provide housing. They're living in a cocoon apart from ordinary folk who are faced with paying sky high rents for the privilege of living in the greater Dundrum area.
It's time to create our own narrative on what sort of housing we need. Time to drive these investment funds out.
The Irish Times goes on to claim that we need these sort of investment funds to provide housing. They're living in a cocoon apart from ordinary folk who are faced with paying sky high rents for the privilege of living in the greater Dundrum area.
It's time to create our own narrative on what sort of housing we need. Time to drive these investment funds out.
Co-archived Dundrum Housing Action
The average cost of a three-bed home in Dublin is now €3,406 per month. That’s rent. PER MONTH.
For as long as we have a landlord government this is what we are up against.
For as long as we have a landlord government this is what we are up against.
Co-archived National Homeless & Housing Coalition
Today in Dundalk's eviction courts an possession order was made on a family home. the husband and father was present, and had just found out his PIP application had been rejected. He informed the Registrar that he wished to submit a defence, but the Registrar made the order anyway. Then the Registrar had the cheek to say that the bank's paperwork was not in order with copies of affidavits rather than originals. She stated the order was in place, but then confusingly told the bank she was applying the order conditionally until the bank updated their paperwork. So this man and his wife and family of three children had an order made even though they have the right to appeal the PIP decision, the right to put in a defence to the bank's case, and even though the Registrar Ahern identified herself that the bank's paperwork is not correct.
Until recently, Registrar Mairead Ahern was hearing cases with her husband's firm representing the bank in front of her for years, and then she was also the Sheriff. The Ahern family made a fortune out of this scam. Considering this, her actions today are no surprise.
Until recently, Registrar Mairead Ahern was hearing cases with her husband's firm representing the bank in front of her for years, and then she was also the Sheriff. The Ahern family made a fortune out of this scam. Considering this, her actions today are no surprise.
Co-archived The National Land League of Ireland
This is the Land where the famous poet Katharine Tynan lived, so much of our own Irish history literally on our own doors.
*A few years ago there was planning applied for for a Prison to going on the land. It was only refused after objection after objection. The planning itself went in on Christmas week, so very active site.*
It's important that we all keep a eye on all development and any Planning that goes into SDCC. At the moment it's zoned as agricultural but can change at any stage and we know how sly developers can be and IF it's rezone in 10 years the Irish rugby Union will make a lot of Money, so, let's all face it now, good chance of it being Rezoned and Built on, hence this post to bring attention to it. The house as it stands is listed as a protected structure, but it's fallen into a state of disarray, meaning that the developer could apply with the view "nothing worth protecting anymore" and knock it to the ground. Look what the developers got away with doing to the Ruins in Kilnamanagh so they could keep building their houses. We are not against a small housing development such as what is happening in Ballymount Lane, we are against deleting another bit of our own history, Tallaght didn't fall from the sky 50 years ago only.
Local people fought long and hard for the historic House to be a protected structure and the Land as agricultural, up to us to keep it up going forward.
For anyone interested, the cross on the Belgard Road as you turn out of Kingswood heading for Clondalkin was put there by Katharine Tynan, in honor of her late father who owned and worked the Land Kingswood was built on, as a Dairy farm. Historians also claim that Michael Collins visited our Whitehall House and W.B.Yeats visited the house, on numerous occasions, so much history!
Lets get talking about our local history and protect it as a Community.
http://www.intallaght.ie/call-for-action-on-historic-kings…/
*A few years ago there was planning applied for for a Prison to going on the land. It was only refused after objection after objection. The planning itself went in on Christmas week, so very active site.*
It's important that we all keep a eye on all development and any Planning that goes into SDCC. At the moment it's zoned as agricultural but can change at any stage and we know how sly developers can be and IF it's rezone in 10 years the Irish rugby Union will make a lot of Money, so, let's all face it now, good chance of it being Rezoned and Built on, hence this post to bring attention to it. The house as it stands is listed as a protected structure, but it's fallen into a state of disarray, meaning that the developer could apply with the view "nothing worth protecting anymore" and knock it to the ground. Look what the developers got away with doing to the Ruins in Kilnamanagh so they could keep building their houses. We are not against a small housing development such as what is happening in Ballymount Lane, we are against deleting another bit of our own history, Tallaght didn't fall from the sky 50 years ago only.
Local people fought long and hard for the historic House to be a protected structure and the Land as agricultural, up to us to keep it up going forward.
For anyone interested, the cross on the Belgard Road as you turn out of Kingswood heading for Clondalkin was put there by Katharine Tynan, in honor of her late father who owned and worked the Land Kingswood was built on, as a Dairy farm. Historians also claim that Michael Collins visited our Whitehall House and W.B.Yeats visited the house, on numerous occasions, so much history!
Lets get talking about our local history and protect it as a Community.
http://www.intallaght.ie/call-for-action-on-historic-kings…/
Co-archived Kingswood Says No
I was at a meeting once where a left wing politician said that we shouldn't 'fetishize' housing activists - people who occupy vacant buildings and resist evictions and that.
I think a world where we 'fetishized' housing activists instead of fetishizing politicians would be a much, much better place.
I think a world where we 'fetishized' housing activists instead of fetishizing politicians would be a much, much better place.
Co-archived Harry Bradley
What about the hidden homeless mothers?
Today I heard about a women and who two children, who lost their home in Bray. The council moved them to a homeless 'holiday' hotel in Courttown, Co. Wexford.
The mother has to pay for a taxi to take her children to the train / bus which takes two hours. She does this twice a day five days a week. She pays for their transport.
No cooking facilities. Nowhere to wash clothes. Not near family or friends. A stressful, lonely and sad existence. Just so our banks and Government can continue to fake this housing market. A manic monopoly game only the very fittest can play.
Meanwhile 200,000 homes lie empty while almost 4,000 homeless children are trapped in hotel rooms.
Where are those, fighting for homeless 'women's rights' now? And why are our people not refusing to buy repossessed properties?
Today I heard about a women and who two children, who lost their home in Bray. The council moved them to a homeless 'holiday' hotel in Courttown, Co. Wexford.
The mother has to pay for a taxi to take her children to the train / bus which takes two hours. She does this twice a day five days a week. She pays for their transport.
No cooking facilities. Nowhere to wash clothes. Not near family or friends. A stressful, lonely and sad existence. Just so our banks and Government can continue to fake this housing market. A manic monopoly game only the very fittest can play.
Meanwhile 200,000 homes lie empty while almost 4,000 homeless children are trapped in hotel rooms.
Where are those, fighting for homeless 'women's rights' now? And why are our people not refusing to buy repossessed properties?
Co-archived Tara O'Grady
Possession cases listed for this week:
Monday February 25th 2019:
Mallow (2),
Clonmel (42),
Cavan (26),
Dublin (4),
Galway (2),
Naas (38),
Portlaoise (13),
Dundalk (34),
Trim (53),
Waterford (13),
Wexford (12) all on registrar's lists.
Sligo (2) on judge's lists.
Tuesday February 26th 2019:
Galway (72),
Castlebar (1) on registrar's lists.
Roscommon (5),
Carrick-on-Shannon (7),
Galway (2),
Kilkenny (19),
Bray (1) all on judge's lists.
Wednesday February 27th 2019:
Kilkenny (10),
Wexford (1) on registrar's lists.
Roscommon (10 on judge's lists.
Thursday February 28th 2019:
Carlow (no number) on the registrar's lists.
Friday March 1st 2019:
Tralee (30) on registrar's lists.
Galway (1),
Kilkenny (1) on judge's lists.
Last week there were 93 cases listed on registrar's lists and 7 on judge's lists in Dublin that were not available when writing the post. And it's the same again this week. Some jurisdictions (Limerick, Meath, Carlow, Dublin for examples) are either not making lists available or are only making lists available the night before the court and sometimes they are taken down again shortly after.
Monday February 25th 2019:
Mallow (2),
Clonmel (42),
Cavan (26),
Dublin (4),
Galway (2),
Naas (38),
Portlaoise (13),
Dundalk (34),
Trim (53),
Waterford (13),
Wexford (12) all on registrar's lists.
Sligo (2) on judge's lists.
Tuesday February 26th 2019:
Galway (72),
Castlebar (1) on registrar's lists.
Roscommon (5),
Carrick-on-Shannon (7),
Galway (2),
Kilkenny (19),
Bray (1) all on judge's lists.
Wednesday February 27th 2019:
Kilkenny (10),
Wexford (1) on registrar's lists.
Roscommon (10 on judge's lists.
Thursday February 28th 2019:
Carlow (no number) on the registrar's lists.
Friday March 1st 2019:
Tralee (30) on registrar's lists.
Galway (1),
Kilkenny (1) on judge's lists.
Last week there were 93 cases listed on registrar's lists and 7 on judge's lists in Dublin that were not available when writing the post. And it's the same again this week. Some jurisdictions (Limerick, Meath, Carlow, Dublin for examples) are either not making lists available or are only making lists available the night before the court and sometimes they are taken down again shortly after.
Co-archived The National Land League of Ireland
Sunday 24th February as always the amount of people waiting for us to set up. Is just getting bigger again more than 50 portions of chicken and chips. Gone in minutes then came the curry and rice by 8 25 pm next to nothing left. I brought my daughter up with us tonight i asked her on the way home. What she thought of the way it is in Dublin she is shocked could not believe how many people rely on our service. Dave went and got the 10 pizza they were gone in no time. Then we went out on the outreach 1 young man we found lying in a door way on Henry Street. To say he was cold was an understatement. I think he thought we were joking when we asked him did he need a sleeping bag. He was that cold myself and Debbie had to help him get in to the bag. He was so grateful. To all of the volunteers who turn up night after night such kind decent people. But hey we will do it all again Wednesday Thursday and Sunday evening because we have to. So from the family that is feed our homeless thank you all for your kindness and support.
Co-archived Tom Duffy
It's Wednesday, 20th Feb, 6.10am, I've been awake since 5.07am listening to a quiet house in Corofin. 2 people are engrossed in a deep conversation downstairs. Snoring and the sounds of people sleeping in different rooms as is the case normally whilst here. Wouldn't mind being one of them but not this morning.
You see this day 4 weeks ago I was in this same house, awake about this time with some of the same people waiting for Tommy's 12th appearance in court. Tommys 12th appearance in court on a civil matter. Not for failing behind on a mortgage as the media would have you believe but falling behind on a unsecured loan when he lost his job and his circumstances changed.
Alot has happened since, as has been well shared on fb. NOT on our mainstream media, NOT on our newspapers and certainly NOT on our national broadcaster. And as I sit here I'm thinking NOT in our Dail either. Why is that I wonder?
Is it because an innocent man is, from today, heading in to his FIFTH week in Limerick prison? Is it because the banks have shafted the little people, this time Tommy, and appear to have won again? Is it because of the perseverance of Whitney Moore Solicitors in probably spending more money on solicitors and barristers in 12 court appearances than the total cost of Tommys UNSECURED loan?
Whatever it is, all I know is that it sickens me to my very core.
I've known Brian McCarthy for several years now and can put my hand on my heart and say he is one of the most honest, decent, kind, gentle and resilient men I've ever met in my entire life. Anyone who knows him or of him knows the essence of everything he stands for. Truth, honesty, compassion and respect. This is what makes him do what he does.
I've seen him many times in court representing the ordinary men and women of this country. Men and women who have very little left by the time the banks and their courts have finished harrassing them, hounding them. Men and women who are almost devoid of any hope for their future and their children's future. Men and women of this country standing on the very edge of the precipice waiting for that tiny shove that'll push them over the ledge.
And then I've seen Brian, offering them hope. Offering their husbands, wives, partners and their children hope that they'll get through this torture, this campaign of bullying and intimidation by the banks, by the courts, by the solicitors, the barristers, the guards and the bailiffs. One man at their side, walking in their shoes, holding their hands and guiding them, supporting them and most importantly giving them hope that what they're going through isn't their fault and that there is no shame and most importantly that they're not alone. The system was designed to fail, designed to harass them, designed to break them, designed to wreck havoc on their marriage, break it even, shatter their mental health, designed to decimate their family and ultimately when all of these things are done, designed to drive them off a cliff edge, or to the end of a rope, or a well staged car accident so the life insurance will pay up or a bottle of pills to end the suffering and to end the shame.
Brian has seen this all too often and that's why he does what he does, day after day, night after night, city to city, courthouse to courthouse. He gives his time and all too often all of his energy in fighting these parasites in their war against the little people of Ireland, the men, women and children of our land. The family that, in accordance with our constitution, is allegedly a sacred institution and their home which in accordance with our constitution allegedly enviable. What a complete crock of shit our constitution really is!
Brian must have helped many hundreds of people at this stage. I know everyone of them and their families are eternally grateful for all he has done and all he will continue to do. His wonderful and supportive wife is inundated with messages of support from them and tells him this when he rings her for 6 minutes every day. He may feel alone in his prison cell but he has all of these people's love, respect and support with him and so he should as she should too.
A man as virtuous and honourable as Brian deserves all our love, respect and support especially at this time. He deserves to know that he is making a huge difference in standing up to a very sick system. He deserves to not stand alone in all he does and not for himself but for so many others.
I'm honoured and very privileged to call Brian and his wife my friends and am very moved by all he does selflessly and not from ego for all the men, women and children of our corrupt country. I think anyone who has ever met him will tell you the same.
This day and almost exact time 4 weeks ago on the 23rd January Tommy's house in Corofin was quiet. I woke early as I always do when I'm here, crept down the stairs to make a strong coffee for the day ahead and was met, as usual, by Brian, lying in the sofa in his sleeping bag and awake. I made him.a coffee and we talked about the day ahead and what may happen. Little did we even contemplate for a minute the horrific scenes that played out in Ennis courthouse and since. Little did we think that Ireland's level of corruption would sink to that level, a new low. Little did Brian's wife think she'd have her husband kidnapped by the state and he'd still be locked up a month later.
Little did "they" think they'd be dealing with a man who's entire being and what drives him is made up of honesty, truth and compassion, a man who has the mental strength of an army, a man who won't break and purge his contempt and who knows he has the love and strength within and mental capacity to stay strong and fearless. I respect and love this man and am only one of thousands. As long as there are people like him in this world there is hope that in the battle of good vs. evi that good will prevail 💙#freebrianmccarthy #sidebyside
By .Gillian
You see this day 4 weeks ago I was in this same house, awake about this time with some of the same people waiting for Tommy's 12th appearance in court. Tommys 12th appearance in court on a civil matter. Not for failing behind on a mortgage as the media would have you believe but falling behind on a unsecured loan when he lost his job and his circumstances changed.
Alot has happened since, as has been well shared on fb. NOT on our mainstream media, NOT on our newspapers and certainly NOT on our national broadcaster. And as I sit here I'm thinking NOT in our Dail either. Why is that I wonder?
Is it because an innocent man is, from today, heading in to his FIFTH week in Limerick prison? Is it because the banks have shafted the little people, this time Tommy, and appear to have won again? Is it because of the perseverance of Whitney Moore Solicitors in probably spending more money on solicitors and barristers in 12 court appearances than the total cost of Tommys UNSECURED loan?
Whatever it is, all I know is that it sickens me to my very core.
I've known Brian McCarthy for several years now and can put my hand on my heart and say he is one of the most honest, decent, kind, gentle and resilient men I've ever met in my entire life. Anyone who knows him or of him knows the essence of everything he stands for. Truth, honesty, compassion and respect. This is what makes him do what he does.
I've seen him many times in court representing the ordinary men and women of this country. Men and women who have very little left by the time the banks and their courts have finished harrassing them, hounding them. Men and women who are almost devoid of any hope for their future and their children's future. Men and women of this country standing on the very edge of the precipice waiting for that tiny shove that'll push them over the ledge.
And then I've seen Brian, offering them hope. Offering their husbands, wives, partners and their children hope that they'll get through this torture, this campaign of bullying and intimidation by the banks, by the courts, by the solicitors, the barristers, the guards and the bailiffs. One man at their side, walking in their shoes, holding their hands and guiding them, supporting them and most importantly giving them hope that what they're going through isn't their fault and that there is no shame and most importantly that they're not alone. The system was designed to fail, designed to harass them, designed to break them, designed to wreck havoc on their marriage, break it even, shatter their mental health, designed to decimate their family and ultimately when all of these things are done, designed to drive them off a cliff edge, or to the end of a rope, or a well staged car accident so the life insurance will pay up or a bottle of pills to end the suffering and to end the shame.
Brian has seen this all too often and that's why he does what he does, day after day, night after night, city to city, courthouse to courthouse. He gives his time and all too often all of his energy in fighting these parasites in their war against the little people of Ireland, the men, women and children of our land. The family that, in accordance with our constitution, is allegedly a sacred institution and their home which in accordance with our constitution allegedly enviable. What a complete crock of shit our constitution really is!
Brian must have helped many hundreds of people at this stage. I know everyone of them and their families are eternally grateful for all he has done and all he will continue to do. His wonderful and supportive wife is inundated with messages of support from them and tells him this when he rings her for 6 minutes every day. He may feel alone in his prison cell but he has all of these people's love, respect and support with him and so he should as she should too.
A man as virtuous and honourable as Brian deserves all our love, respect and support especially at this time. He deserves to know that he is making a huge difference in standing up to a very sick system. He deserves to not stand alone in all he does and not for himself but for so many others.
I'm honoured and very privileged to call Brian and his wife my friends and am very moved by all he does selflessly and not from ego for all the men, women and children of our corrupt country. I think anyone who has ever met him will tell you the same.
This day and almost exact time 4 weeks ago on the 23rd January Tommy's house in Corofin was quiet. I woke early as I always do when I'm here, crept down the stairs to make a strong coffee for the day ahead and was met, as usual, by Brian, lying in the sofa in his sleeping bag and awake. I made him.a coffee and we talked about the day ahead and what may happen. Little did we even contemplate for a minute the horrific scenes that played out in Ennis courthouse and since. Little did we think that Ireland's level of corruption would sink to that level, a new low. Little did Brian's wife think she'd have her husband kidnapped by the state and he'd still be locked up a month later.
Little did "they" think they'd be dealing with a man who's entire being and what drives him is made up of honesty, truth and compassion, a man who has the mental strength of an army, a man who won't break and purge his contempt and who knows he has the love and strength within and mental capacity to stay strong and fearless. I respect and love this man and am only one of thousands. As long as there are people like him in this world there is hope that in the battle of good vs. evi that good will prevail 💙#freebrianmccarthy #sidebyside
By .Gillian
Co-archived Gillian Noonan
Cork City Council Traveller Accommodation Allocation & Drawdowns
2015 : € 800,000 allocated, € 427,304 drawn down
2016 : € 400,000 allocated, € 301,796 drawn down
2017 : € 1,108,344 allocated, € 97,000 drawn down
(that`s less than 10% of available funding drawn down in 2017!!!)
2018 (up to Nov) : € 310,000 allocated, NOTHING drawn down
… and we are pretty sure, nothing has been drawn down since Nov 2018 either …
Travellers and Traveller groups are asked to put their faith into a new, improved Traveller Accommodation Programme, while there is almost complete inaction in the here & now …
2015 : € 800,000 allocated, € 427,304 drawn down
2016 : € 400,000 allocated, € 301,796 drawn down
2017 : € 1,108,344 allocated, € 97,000 drawn down
(that`s less than 10% of available funding drawn down in 2017!!!)
2018 (up to Nov) : € 310,000 allocated, NOTHING drawn down
… and we are pretty sure, nothing has been drawn down since Nov 2018 either …
Travellers and Traveller groups are asked to put their faith into a new, improved Traveller Accommodation Programme, while there is almost complete inaction in the here & now …
Co-archived Thomas Erbsloh
Irish Traveller Movement Response ( Rebuilding Ireland Report)
Following the report released yesterday by the Minister for Housing on meeting targets under the Rebuilding Ireland Strategy, it found that 107 homes were provided under the Traveller Accommodation Programme (€6.8m) in 2018 and therefore 5.2million returned to Government by Local Authorities, which is consistent with the practice of under-spending over many years, despite almost 5,000 Travellers living in shared accommodation.What local authority under-spending has done is driven an under estimation of need nationally for Travellers supported by a system that relies on inadequate monitoring and inconsistent reporting, something which the Government’s own report on local authority practice found in 2017. It showed that for the successive Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAP) 2000-2004, 2005 – 2008, 2009 – 2013 local authorities failed to meet their targets with 60% not meeting them in the first round, 71% in the second and 65% in the third. We have yet to establish the target output for the 2014 -2018 TAP but judging by the annual under-spends during the last three years confirmed by today’s report, there will be little change.
The Review of the Traveller Accommodation Act must take account of the systematic failed Government model.
We again state strongly the need for the establishment of an independent statutory body to monitor, assess, advise on and secure the implementation of the annual building and refurbishment programmes of local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes.
This independent Body would, in consultation with Travellers and review local development plans, drawn down funding and oversee the national assessment of need and most importantly address breeches in compliance by local authorities.
The Irish Traveller Movement and our members know that to make any real progress the review of the Traveller Accommodation Act must address the fundamental failures in the delivery model and propose robust new ways to deliver Travellerhomes, #Travellerhomematter
Following the report released yesterday by the Minister for Housing on meeting targets under the Rebuilding Ireland Strategy, it found that 107 homes were provided under the Traveller Accommodation Programme (€6.8m) in 2018 and therefore 5.2million returned to Government by Local Authorities, which is consistent with the practice of under-spending over many years, despite almost 5,000 Travellers living in shared accommodation.What local authority under-spending has done is driven an under estimation of need nationally for Travellers supported by a system that relies on inadequate monitoring and inconsistent reporting, something which the Government’s own report on local authority practice found in 2017. It showed that for the successive Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAP) 2000-2004, 2005 – 2008, 2009 – 2013 local authorities failed to meet their targets with 60% not meeting them in the first round, 71% in the second and 65% in the third. We have yet to establish the target output for the 2014 -2018 TAP but judging by the annual under-spends during the last three years confirmed by today’s report, there will be little change.
The Review of the Traveller Accommodation Act must take account of the systematic failed Government model.
We again state strongly the need for the establishment of an independent statutory body to monitor, assess, advise on and secure the implementation of the annual building and refurbishment programmes of local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes.
This independent Body would, in consultation with Travellers and review local development plans, drawn down funding and oversee the national assessment of need and most importantly address breeches in compliance by local authorities.
The Irish Traveller Movement and our members know that to make any real progress the review of the Traveller Accommodation Act must address the fundamental failures in the delivery model and propose robust new ways to deliver Travellerhomes, #Travellerhomematter
Co-archived Irish Traveller Movement
Everyone knows about our homeless crisis at the min and everyone goes on about how bad it is including myself but i honestly didn't realise how bad and awkward services were for people who find themselves homeless.
In the past couple of weeks a family member found themselves homeless and on the streets. The amount of obstacles in their way to try and secure a bed for the night is unreal. Wednesday night they were told they had a bed, it was lashing and freezing cold. The hostel was hard to find and had no sign on it to even know it was a hostel. I drove down and we couldn't find it for a few mins. Eventually they got to the door at 10:15 only to be told the bed was gone because they weren't there at 10pm, they were told to ring the freephone. The freephone is another joke in this whole system. I rang at 10:31 it opens at 10:30 and i was 42nd in the que eventually getting to speak to a rude man with no manners or sympathy!!
He had been moved from hostel to hostel because these beds are on a nightly basis which is just ridiculous. Anyway with the help of a very good friend and local Éirígí Representative Damien Farrell today that family member has secured a safe secure bed for at least 6 months and i couldn't be happier. I also can't thank Damien and the All Together Now team for all their help and support.
In the past couple of weeks a family member found themselves homeless and on the streets. The amount of obstacles in their way to try and secure a bed for the night is unreal. Wednesday night they were told they had a bed, it was lashing and freezing cold. The hostel was hard to find and had no sign on it to even know it was a hostel. I drove down and we couldn't find it for a few mins. Eventually they got to the door at 10:15 only to be told the bed was gone because they weren't there at 10pm, they were told to ring the freephone. The freephone is another joke in this whole system. I rang at 10:31 it opens at 10:30 and i was 42nd in the que eventually getting to speak to a rude man with no manners or sympathy!!
He had been moved from hostel to hostel because these beds are on a nightly basis which is just ridiculous. Anyway with the help of a very good friend and local Éirígí Representative Damien Farrell today that family member has secured a safe secure bed for at least 6 months and i couldn't be happier. I also can't thank Damien and the All Together Now team for all their help and support.
Co-archived Vicky White
The only way to resolve this crisis is to decommodify housing, to wrest power over where we live from landlords, speculators and the rich. Anything short of decommodification will not work.
This means fighting for public housing over private development, for security of tenure, for a right to housing, an end to evictions and the democratic management of our communities.
How can we fight? By getting involved in housing action groups, by joining upcoming national demos, by pushing housing motions in our unions and by voting out the landlord parties.
Don't expect change from the landlords in the Dáil and be disappointed, fight like hell until change is put beyond doubt! ✊🏽
This means fighting for public housing over private development, for security of tenure, for a right to housing, an end to evictions and the democratic management of our communities.
How can we fight? By getting involved in housing action groups, by joining upcoming national demos, by pushing housing motions in our unions and by voting out the landlord parties.
Don't expect change from the landlords in the Dáil and be disappointed, fight like hell until change is put beyond doubt! ✊🏽
Co-archived Conchúir Ó Raidaigh
If you're earning €35,000 per annum (after tax) as a single person you qualify for Housing Assistance Payment - that means a gross income of €47,000 a year.
The government recognises that salaries of up to €47,000 a year are not enough to sustain people in rented accommodation so have set up a system to subsidise renters.
This. Is. Madness!
It's not a sustainable system, the Government are banking on majority of people who qualify to not apply. Anyone who is on less that €47,000 should apply to HAP as a means of principle to cripple the system, cause its collapse and prove that it is not viable.
Collapsing HAP will force the government to look at better, cheaper, more sustainable measures. Rather than funding a private market the government should be controlling it. We need rent controls not sympathy payouts.
At €47,000 a year I want to be able to pay my own way in life. But this is no longer about individual pride, this is about taking a collective stand against spiralling living costs influenced by greed and rootlessness of privatisation.
HAP has increased by €275,610,000 in only four years: 2014 HAP payouts were a mere €390,000. Rebuilding Ireland project HAP figures to increase to €1billion - this will be the biggest capital expenditure on housing, meaning HAP payments supersede the funding for building ACTUAL houses.
Public money being pumped into the private market with limited returns. If the state used that €275million to invest in public housing we would at least have assets, physical infrastructure and long-term rent returns to show for it.
The government recognises that salaries of up to €47,000 a year are not enough to sustain people in rented accommodation so have set up a system to subsidise renters.
This. Is. Madness!
It's not a sustainable system, the Government are banking on majority of people who qualify to not apply. Anyone who is on less that €47,000 should apply to HAP as a means of principle to cripple the system, cause its collapse and prove that it is not viable.
Collapsing HAP will force the government to look at better, cheaper, more sustainable measures. Rather than funding a private market the government should be controlling it. We need rent controls not sympathy payouts.
At €47,000 a year I want to be able to pay my own way in life. But this is no longer about individual pride, this is about taking a collective stand against spiralling living costs influenced by greed and rootlessness of privatisation.
HAP has increased by €275,610,000 in only four years: 2014 HAP payouts were a mere €390,000. Rebuilding Ireland project HAP figures to increase to €1billion - this will be the biggest capital expenditure on housing, meaning HAP payments supersede the funding for building ACTUAL houses.
Public money being pumped into the private market with limited returns. If the state used that €275million to invest in public housing we would at least have assets, physical infrastructure and long-term rent returns to show for it.
Co-archived Aisling Bruen
A lot of people say well done Tom every time i put post and videos out i just had to tell you about my man Dave every night Dave fills his car to the roof. Last night Sunday 10 Feb he drives to Dublin sets up the tables with the rest of the volunteers. He then goes off to collect the pizzas at 8 30 comes back young lady not well he then drives her and her partner to the hospital. I have been chatting with the lady this morning still in the hospital not very well. I seen yesterday people went to Simon Harris home some say that was wrong. I'd like to ask mister Harris a Question this young lady will probably be leaving the hospital today she would love to have a home that people could protest outside. But unfortunately she will be put on to the streets today. So mister Simon Harris you have little to complain about.
Co-archived Tom Duffy
Rents in Meath have increased by 10.5% this year, yet we still have no rent control or security of tenure, young couples old age pensioners and all renters are at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords. Young families have no stability and no prospects of a stable home unless we immediately build mixed-income local Authority housing, The Workers Party demand Meath Co Council use all the land at its disposal be used to build local Authority housing.
Co-archived Seamus Mcdonagh
My God what has our land become ,A man due to appear at the EVICTION court in Dundalk today, sadly took his own life recently. The duty solicitor gave the information to the court. The bank involved proceeded with their application to repossess the family home. May his poor family find peace and may these vultures Never sleep at night
Co-archived Melissa O Neill