HOMES AND A job FOR ARMY GIRL
Irish Mirror readers help Terry, 34, after living in car for year
FORMER soldier Terry O’reilly has been offered a job and places to stay after the Irish mirror revealed she has been living in a car for more than a year.
The 34-year-old, left, said she is “over the moon” with the support from readers. She added: “It is great to see people who care even if the Government do not.”
A GENEROUS Irishman has offered to give a homeless former soldier temporary work and shelter in France after reading about her dreadful plight.
Many other Irish Mirror readers want to help Terry O’reilly, 34, who has been sleeping in her car for more than a year because she can’t afford a deposit to rent a flat or room.
John Fisher, 69, who is also an ex-soldier, said he will let Terry stay at his property in Brennilis, Brittany, for up to two months and offer her renovation work.
The property consultant added he was shocked to hear that a woman who served her country for eight years was forced to live in a car.
He said: “I read about poor
Terry on the Irish Mirror website and couldn’t believe this could happen to someone like that in Ireland.
“That’s why I got in touch and if I can help I will. I have this house in Brittany and I’m planning to sell it so I can offer her accommodation there until it’s sold.
“I can also offer her work for six to eight weeks or maybe longer depending on what happens with the house.
“I’m an ex-army man myself and just wanted to help. There’s five or six bedrooms and there’s no one living there so there’s loads of space.”
Terry added she was “over the moon” with her support.
She said: “I can’t believe it, I am getting dozens of messages on Facebook. “I want to thank the Mirror – I am delighted with the coverage.
“It is great to see people who care even if the Government do not.” Speaking from his home in Latvia yesterday, John, who lived for years in Boyle, Co Roscommon, said he had previously rented out his property in France.
He added: “There’s a few jobs that needs to be done before it’s sold so I’d take Terry to work in the garden and do a proper cleaning and, of course, she’d have accommodation.
“I read Terry also did horticulture so she would be a great help around the garden if she agreed.”
The former soldier has been sleeping in her VW Bora in Shankill, South Dublin, for more than a year but said she can’t face another winter.
Terry, who revealed she even thinks
about suicide, claimed she has been virtually ignored by her local council over her homeless plight.
She joined the Army aged 18 and was one of the last soldiers involved on border duty.
Terry later went on to qualify in horticulture at college after she left the Defence Forces.
Another big-hearted man has offered to let her stay at his home to allow her get her life back together.
And a hostel owner in Co Galway also got in touch to say he would offer Terry free shelter until next April.