Tenant to get garda escort for move back home

A TENANT facing protests from neighbours will get a garda escort this morning for a bitterly opposed move back into a council home.

Residents in Cork’s Mahon estate blocked the move yesterday and vowed to continue their protest this morning amid fears of anti-social activity.

A group of up to 20 residents stood in the front garden of the end-of-terrace city council house from early morning to prevent council workers from removing shutters from its windows.

The council was planning to let the tenant, who has legal tenancy of the property, move back into the house yesterday after major repairs were carried out following a serious fire.

But residents refused to leave the garden and prevented the work from going ahead. The tenant’s move home was delayed until this morning.

Residents alleged that the area suffered from a spate of anti-social activity when the tenant lived in the house.

They were backed by outspoken Green Party Cllr Chris O’Leary, whose home was fire-bombed earlier this year following his stance on anti-social activity in the community.

However, it is understood that there were no breaches of the tenant’s official tenancy agreement.

The council declined to comment on whether or not any official complaints about anti-social activity had been lodged against this particular tenant.

There was a tense stand-off for several hours as council officials negotiated with residents.

The two-storey three-bedroom house has been vacant for at least 10 months during the repair work.

Jim Beecher, from the council’s housing department, said the council was anxious to allow the tenant move back into the house this morning.

“That is this tenant’s legal right. And we as a local authority have to ensure that our tenant is housed.

“The ideal situation is for this tenant to live in peace and harmony with the neighbours and that there would be no reason for us to intervene. But we have assured residents that if there is a breach of the tenancy agreement, we will act quickly and effectively.

“If this, or any other tenant causes a nuisance, we will look at the situation and may seek to repossess the property.”

But Mr O’Leary said allowing the tenant move in again was sending out the wrong message to other tenants.

“The council has a responsibility to the rest of its tenants,” he said.

“There is an onus on the council to treat with respect their good tenants. And this is not the way to do it.”