Woman loses her bid to be rehoused

A woman with profound physical and mental disabilities living in a damp council house unsuitable to her needs has lost her High Court case aimed at being rehoused in more appropriate accommodation.

Ms Justice Marie Baker said it would be an “impermissible breach” of the constitutional separation of powers between the legislature and judiciary for the court to order Cork County Council to provide Elizabeth Mulhare and her mother Barbara, on whom Elizabeth is totally dependendent, with more suitable housing.

Nor could the court declare they should get greater priority on the council’s housing list of some 7,480 approved applicants, including 557 with needs based on physical disability.