Family who took over council house have turned down alternative accommodation, High Court hears

A family of seven facing High Court proceedings to remove them from a vacant council house in Kenagh, County Longford, has rejected alternative accommodation offered by the local authority. John Paul Doyle, his wife Frances, and their five children occupy the three-bedroom property at 21 Casey Court without permission. Longford County Council seeks an injunction to evict them, citing a housing list of over 1,220 applicants. The council offered a four-bedroom privately-owned house near Longford Town with reduced rent support of €42 weekly, compared to €90 for council housing. The family declined, stating the property lacked a rear garden and proximity to a busy road made it unsuitable. The Doyles, unrepresented in court, acknowledged wrongdoing but said circumstances left them without alternatives after their previous landlord reclaimed his property. They have been on the housing list for approximately two years. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan adjourned the matter to later in May.