State housing ‘violates human rights’ - Residents take case to Europe

People living in 20 of the most run-down housing complexes in the country have taken a landmark fight for basic living conditions to Europe.

A Paris-based international human rights body lodged claims on behalf of 130,000 residents in estates in inner city Dublin and Limerick over sewage problems, persistent leaks, harmful damp and mould after charities at home did not take up the cause.

The International Federation for Human Rights filed a 51-page complaint with the Council of Europe accusing the Government of presiding over appalling living standards and failing to meet basic and legal housing requirements.