‘Freedom from forced eviction’ motion defeated

A MOTION calling on Wexford County Council to respect people’s human rights by doing ‘all in its power’ to provide homes for tenants with freedom from forced eviction was defeated at a recent local authority meeting.

Cllr Tony Walsh, pictured below, said his experience of the council housing staff has been that they have been incredible. He said there is a disconnection between what is intended in the area and what is happening and a ‘disjointedness’ between the organs of the state.

Cllr Walsh said he was particulalry concerned about the welfare of children who are affected by eviction. Reading from a prepared statement, Cllr Walsh was interrupted by councillors, who asked if he was reading a book.

Cllr Willie Fitzharris said councillors didn’t need a sermon on their duties as public representatives.

Councillors argued that tenants should be evicted if they are engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Malcolm Byrne said he fully supported the motion, stressing that tenants have the right to housing but this does not supersede their responsibility to the community in which they live.

Cllr Tony Dempsey said Cllr Walsh had brought a good motion, before adding that some council tenant’s children are going to school ‘half asleep’ because of anti-social behaviour in their neighbour’s homes.

Cllr Johnny Mythen said there are 4,517 people on housing waiting lists in the county.

Senior housing officer Pádraig O’Gorman said his department was asked to have a very serious look at anti-social behaviour last year, adding that a team has been formed to address the issue. ‘We will be doing a number of actions to address serious incidences of anti-social behaviour and we have the power to evict. In some cases it will be taken out of our hands where there are criminal proceedings.’

Cllr Walsh said he is concerned by the amount of pain he sees in society, in part due to evictions. Cllr Davy Hynes said every councillor is entitled to spend ten minutes outlining their motion, and this should be allowed without heckling.