‘People have been evicted at night’: Concerns raised over alleged Kildare evictions

A number of alleged evictions in a South Kildare town has been highlighted by a local councillor.

Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin raised the matter at the most recent Athy Municipal District (MD) meeting which occurred on Monday, January 19 last.

The topic came up when Cllr Breslin motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to write to write to the homelessness prevention organisation Threshold in order "to encourage them to hold an information session to advise those renting in the private sector in the Athy MD of their rights".

Her motion was supported by her party colleague, Cllr Mark Leigh.

Speaking further on the motion, Cllr Breslin said: "In particular, and I would like to be cautious in saying this, there are people who may have land [available for rent in Kildare] but who are going about it in the wrong way."

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Cllr Breslin went on to claim that she was informed of alleged incidents in which people were evicted at night, and that she was also aware of incidents where children had been evicted.

She also said that she has spoken to An Garda Síochána about the matter, and suggested hosting the information evening specified in her motion.

"I just want to put it out there, that there is help [available for people looking to rent property]," Cllr Breslin concluded.

Another local rep who was present at the meeting, Fianna Fáil Cllr Veralouise Behan, also voiced support for Cllr Breslin's motion, "especially as the Citizens Information office in Athy is only open part-time".

Replying to the motion, KCC said that this would be a matter for the councillors to agree upon.

After the matter was put to the floor, it was agreed that KCC would write to Threshold about the matter raised by Cllr Breslin.

Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin. Photograph credit: kildarecoco.ie

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.