Hothouse star slams ‘obscene’ housing crisis

HOTHOUSE Flowers frontman Liam O Maonlai slammed the Government’s lack of response to Dublin’s property crisis.

Last month Irish singer-songwriter David Kitt announced he would be leaving Ireland, claiming he could “no longer afford to live in his home town”.

O Maonlaoi, 53, also a resident of Dublin, supported his claim that property and rental prices are forcing people out.

He said: “The current situation is obscene. It’s inhuman and criminal, It’s a joke and it isn’t funny.”

While The Hothouse

Flowers have built up a strong fanbase over 30 years, the musician admitted the tail end of the month can be a struggle.

He added: “We have been able to get by because we have a solid base and have the ability to pick up the phone and set things up.

“But we still sometimes struggle. We just about make it to the post every month.

“We’re in our 50s now, you know we should be taking out the slippers. Creative people are those that might be able to make a note of it and draw attention to the issue and do something about. “Luckily creativity has a life of its own and a will of its own.”

His band will spend next week in Drogheda at the annual Fleadh Cheoil.

The Hothouse Flowers come into the festival on the back of a run of gigs that started in Naeba Japan and ended in Gorey, Co Wexford, last month.

O Maonlaoi said: “The Fleadh is part of old Irish history and it’s great to be invited. I love the concept of musicians from north, south, east and west congregating in one place and playing.”