Man living in hut to ‘tough it out’ despite offer of rent-free house

A MAN living in a self-made hut on a tiny isolated island vowed last night to stay there despite being offered a rent-free house.

Eddie Ahern, 57, who is living with his son, Andrew, in the hut on Rat’s Island, near Fota, Co Cork, said: “I’ll tough it out until the council comes back to me. I’m more concerned for my son that he’ll get a decent sleep and a bath. I’ll tough it out for a while.”

Mr Leahy, who is originally from Carrigtwohill in east Cork, has been on the county council’s housing waiting list for several years.

He claimed on Monday that he and his son have been left with no option but to live in the island hut.

Following the intervention of Labour Cllr John Mulvihill, a private individual came forward yesterday and offered the men the use of a rent-free farmhouse in Killeagh. They were told they would have to pay the electricity bill.

Mr Leahy said Andrew plans to move in there tomorrow. But he said he will stay on the island on his own until he is offered a house by the council.

He defended his decision not to accept the Killeagh house and insisted it is up to the council to contact him with the offer of a local authority house.

He said he would accept a house anywhere in east Cork but specifically mentioned Carrigtwohill and Cobh.

“This island is private property and I have permission to be here. It’s very depressing when the weather is bad. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” he said.

Mr Mulvihill said he is glad proper accommodation has been secured for Andrew.

“But I’m disappointed that Eddie didn’t take up the offer to move in,” he said.

Mr Mulvihill has discussed the situation with senior council officials and he said they are treating the case sympathetically. “I will continue to press the matter,” he said.