Poverty in rural Ireland: How the SVP are helping people fight back 

Aifric McGlinchey talks to St Vincent de Paul about their work in rural areas. 

A SWEEPING driveway leads up to the four-bedroomed home on the acre of land. In the garage, there are two luxury cars. But something is slightly wrong. The landscaped garden is looking unkempt. If you look closely, the tax and insurance are out of date on both cars. And the tyres are bald.

The front door opens. A woman invites in the volunteers. Her husband has gone for a walk. The children are upstairs: which is just as well, because within minutes she is sobbing. Ever since the bank crash, St Vincent de Paul volunteers regularly call to the New Poor in the most sought after addresses in the city and in trophy homes across the countryside.