Defence Forces halfway house to close

A HALFWAY house, which has helped retired members of the Defence Forces in Limerick adjust to civilian life, is being forced to close.

The 11-bed building, consisting of three houses converted into one, opened at James Street five years ago, under a leasing arrangement with the owner of the property.

But rent arrears of up to €20,000 have reportedly built up.

The building has assisted up to 30 ex-servicemen — some of whom had fallen on hard times.

Others who found it hard to cope with life outside the army spent longer periods there.

However, after the numbers using it began to drop, rent arrears built up.

The Organisation of National Ex-servicemen (ONE) operates a number of hostels around the country. While ONE does not fund the Limerick centre, it helps oversee the running of it.

Some funding had previously been given towards the accommodation by Limerick City Council with further funding from the Department of the Environment’s housing section. The funding, however, ceased some time ago.

Leonard Hawkins, chairman of the Patrick Sarsfield Branch ONE, said the owner of the building would like them to remain but they are already six months in arrears.

“The tenants will have to find their own place. I hope we will be able to help them,” he said.

ONE branch president, Joe O’Mahony, said they had meetings with the city council and talks are taking place with the department to find alternative accommodation for the four remaining residents, one of whom suffers from Alzheimer’s.

One former resident said: “Some use the home as a stepping stone but, for others who have spent most of their lives in the service with every minute of the day structured, they have no idea what to do when they come out.

“For them, there is the companionship of other soldiers, a place where they can have a game of cards, hold meetings for ex-servicemen and plan events. Christmas dinner is served every year and when there are parades, everyone turns out.”

The accommodation had been opened by the former minister for defence Willie O’Dea.

Meanwhile, Cllr John Gilligan said: “These are men who served our country and our country has an obligation to them.”