Courts / Carlow / Report

Homeless mum living in tent outside council offices, High Court told

Date
2017-07-03

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Carlow

County
Carlow

Summary

Karen Middleton and her six‑year‑old son have been living in a tent outside Carlow County Council's offices since 12 June after the council refused to provide further emergency accommodation. The High Court challenge, presented by barrister David Leonard Bl on behalf of Middleton and her son, seeks an order directing the council to consider their application for emergency homeless accommodation through social housing or other means, and to quash the council's decision that they could reasonably use alternative accommodation until Middleton can rent a property. The action is based on claims that the council's refusal is unlawful, irrational, and breaches constitutional rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The case was heard by Mr Justice Seamus Noonan, who adjourned it to Wednesday. The court was told that Middleton had previously been offered short‑term B&B accommodation, had staged sit‑ins at the council's offices, and had been arrested by Gardai during one of these protests.