Navan protest highlights concern over emergency housing
ANN CASEY
A protest over conditions in emergency accommodation for the homeless on Brews Hill took place in Navan on Saturday morning.
Up to 20 people attended the protest close to the emergency accommodation.
Alan Lawes, who organised the protest complained about conditions in the premises and said that Meath County Council is placing families with children in accommodation that shares communal spaces with people with addiction issues and psychiatric conditions.
Among those who protested on Saturday morning was Fiona Davidson a former resident of the property.
She left it last November and explained that she was protesting and speaking out because those currently housed there are reluctant to speak out.
“I had just a microwave and kettle in the livingroom/bedroom and had to go to the bathroom to get water. I had to share the room with my 19-year-old-son. There were quite a few people living there that had issues like addiction problems and people with young children. We all shared a communal area where there was a washing machine and sink.” Another former resident, a mother with four children was among those protesting.
“We had three beds and I had to have the baby sleep with me. There were no facilities for the children.
“There were people moving in and out every week and a lot of people with problems with alcohol and drugs came and went and we shared the communal area with them,” she recalled.
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She eventually fled the property one day because of the activities of a resident who had psychiatric problems.
Alan Lawes said this week that if the situation doesn't improve the protests will continue.
A spokesperson for Meath County Council said the property was used for short term accommodation for clients assessed as homeless and is one of a number of facilities that are used for emergency accommodation throughout the County.
“Meath County Council is acutely aware of its responsibilities towards individuals placed in emergency accommodation, and with this in mind, the property at Brews Hill is inspected periodically by Meath County Council staff so as to ensure it is adequate for emergency accommodation purposes.
“Any complaints received from placements in any of the facilities used for emergency accommodation are followed up with the respective property owner if they arise.
“Meath County Council fulfils its statutory function regarding homelessness with a professional, dedicated team of settlement officers, who provide a range of supports to those experiencing, or are at risk of homelessness. Where matters of a child welfare concern arises, the necessary referrals are made to the responsible agency, namely Tulsa, Child and Family Agency, in accordance with the Children First Act, 2015,” she said.