Wexford cancer patient told he will be evicted if he doesn’t accept offer of council house in Gorey
Wexford PeopleA cancer patient living in Wexford town has been told he must accept an offer of accommodation in Gorey or be evicted from his current home. Accusing the local council of lacking humanity, Councillor Raymond Shannon has requested that the man’s case be re-examined and some leniency be applied.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Wexford Borough District, Cllr Shannon said he had been in regular contact with the man as he underwent his cancer treatment.
“He was previously living in emergency accommodation in Ozanam House (de Paul) but was given an apartment by the council,” said Cllr Shannon. “Now he’s been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing radiotherapy and, in the meantime, he’s been offered a council house in Gorey.
“But he’s not in a position to accept, he’s not well enough. He was told by the council’s housing department that he has to accept the offer and, if he didn’t, he would be evicted from the property he’s currently in and wouldn’t be allowed to go into Ozanam House for 12 months.”
Explaining that when the man had originally gone on the housing list 12 years ago he had put Gorey down as one of his preferred areas, Cllr Shannon said his circumstances had since changed and he now had a circle of friends in Wexford town as well as a GP who was assisting him during his treatment.
“Do the staff in our housing department have any humanity at all?” asked Cllr Shannon. “He’s grateful for the offer but it’s 12 years since he put Gorey on his list of preferences. He deserves a bit more respect. At this moment in time he’s not able to move, this is very, very wrong. “
Defending the council’s housing staff, Cllr Garry Laffan said “they do try help where they can” and, to that end, housing officer Edel Nolan said she would speak with Cllr Shannon after the meeting and look into this individual’s case.