Pensioner’s appeal over fall fears
AN 86-year-old Ballycullane woman who needs railings installed to prevent her from falling at her back door has appealed to Wexford County Council to provide them for her as a matter of urgency.
The railings, which would cost a few hundred euro, are needed as Barbara (Babs) Mooney fell one night during the winter as she tried to go out her back door.
Ms Mooney, who runs the Sunset Appeal charity which spays and neuters cats, said: ‘I went out one night in December at 1 a.m. and I went flying. Luckily a neighbour who heard the dogs barking and saw the lights on came in and got me. I got an awful fright and I’ve almost fallen several times since.’
Ms Mooney said there should be a double rail on both sides.
‘What I have at the moment is no good at all.’
The one rail she has was installed by a Cork based company and Ms Mooney said the new railings have yet to be ordered. ‘I got a grant to have the house made safe for a senior citizen. I was told I could get the railings put in, but no one ever came. I might as well be talking to the wall.’
Communications Officer with Wexford County Council David Minogue said: ‘Wexford County Council cannot comment on individual cases. The council does operate a department–funded Disabled Persons Adaption Scheme, which is best suited to fund the type of works which are the subject of this enquiry.’
This scheme provides funding to local authorities to carry out small adaption works to a house so that an elderly or less-abled tenant can enjoy a better quality of life in their home.
Eligible works include ramps, railings, concrete paths and internal works such as level access showers, etc.
‘ The works provided are based on a formal assessment and recommendation from the tenant’s own GP. If, having carried out such adaption works to a house, it transpires that the tenant requires additional works or modifications to the works already provided, then the county council will consider carrying those additional works, following a further recommendation from the tenant’s GP.’
There was no confirmation provided if the works will be carried out for Ms Mooney. Ms Mooney said her doctor has sent the required letters to the council, but no railings were put in. ‘My doctor has written so many letters I could paper the walls with them,’ she said.