West Cork woman facing homelessness at 88 finds new home after public outcry

Jennifer Marley's case drew national attention and renewed calls for urgent reform of housing for older renters

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins with Bantry resident Jennifer Marley who is facing homelessness in a matter of weeks.

A pensioner who was facing homelessness at the age of 88 has found a new home.

Jennifer Marley, who was served with a notice to quit her rented home in Bantry, West Cork, had until August 1 to find somewhere to live.

Independent Ireland leader and Cork South-West TD Michael Collins brought her case up in the Dáil on Tuesday, describing it as “a shocking indictment” of the State.

While she has a good relationship with her landlord and his son, Ms Marley said that facing the prospect of leaving had made her "a little bit wobbly."

Her case has sparked a national debate about the growing issue of older people being forced to leave rental homes through no fault of their own, and facing homelessness as a result.

Mr Collins said: “I am delighted to say she now has a new place to stay.

“She had the interview for a new home on Wednesday morning and she was accepted.

“She is so relieved because she really did not feel she could face being homeless and all that that involves.” He added: “I am glad I was able to help her but she is not an isolated case.

“I have a growing number of cases on my books at the moment of people in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are facing homelessness.

“It’s bad enough dealing with homelessness when you are young, working and have a decent income coming in.

“But it is truly terrifying and traumatic to be an older person, vulnerable and living on little more than a State pension.

“The government needs to declare an emergency to deal with the many, many other Jennifer Marleys that are out there.” 

Speaking to her local paper, The Southern Star, Ms Marley said: “It will be so lovely.

"I know that I will feel very strong once I settle inside the new home.

"It's a tiny little place but I am happy to let go of a few bits and pieces."

Ms Marley relocated to Bantry in 2019 and had been living in a private rental property.

The landlord, with whom she got on well, decided to sell the house.

Although she registered for social housing and actively sought assistance from Cork County Council, she had not been offered a suitable alternative until her case was raised in the Dáil by Deputy Collins.

“She faced an uncertain future with the very real prospect of being left without a roof over her head at the age of 88.

“Jennifer is very much someone who is the fabric of the community in Bantry, and she faced being, in effect, abandoned.”

Mr Collins brought a motion before the Dáil detailing a series of solutions to reform the housing and emergency accommodation systems.

“We cannot continue to treat elderly Irish citizens with such contempt,” Mr Collins said.

“This case is emblematic of a housing crisis that has long since spiralled out of control.

“What sort of country allows this to happen to its older people?”