COPE asked to refuse help to a Galway City Council tenant

The crisis housing agency COPE has revealed that Galway City Council instructed it not to help a tenant who was found dead in her home on Monday.

Brid Cummins was due to be evicted after terrorising one of her neighbours, but was found dead at her flat.

Foul play is not suspected.

The Mayor of Galway has called for an inquiry into the council's handling of the situation.

Martin O'Connor of COPE has said the council instructed them not to provide crisis accommodation for the 48-year-old.

“We did receive a letter from Galway city council instructing us not to provide homeless services.”

"From the outset of receiving this we made Galway City Council aware of our difficulties, we disagreed strongly with them on this.

“Brid Cummins did not present to our services but if Brid Cummins had presented and sought our services then we would have responded to her.”