“I Feel Like I’ve Been Stolen Of Most Of My Life”

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Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy

This morning.

On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

RTÉ’s Education Correspondent Emma O’Kelly re-interviewed a homeless family whom she interviewed in September 2017.

At the time of last year’s interview, 18-year-old Amanda* said living in a hotel, for a year at that point, had offered her “no privacy” and “no peaceful time”.

She also feared that people at her school, because of her situation, would decide she was “scum”.

Ms O’Kelly started off her report saying “nothing has changed for this family” and explained that the family – a mother, two daughters and one son – are still living in the same hotel room.

In this morning’s report, a tearful Amanda told Ms O’Kelly:

“You want to voice what’s actually going on, the truth with everything, but you are sometimes afraid, and, just, your voice is gone.”

“In my old school, for example a lad started shouting ‘oh, yeah, you’re living the high life, if you’re homeless. You know, you get your bedroom, you’re living in a high-class hotel, you’re getting  your food paid for you and everything. You can just around doing nothing, waiting for a house that’s paid for you.

“And I’m sitting there in tears. I can’t hide it because it’s not the high life. You’re living with stench of people, cooking food in rooms, rotten away with mould and everything else.

“I feel like I’ve been stolen of most of my life.”

Amanda also told Ms O’Kelly that her mental health is deteriorating, saying:

“People need to know that it is deadly to live like this. You do just want to…you feel like you have no life left living in here with no help, no sense of security, you just think what’s the point. You really do.”

Amanda also said that it’s the job of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, and “everyone else that’s sitting in that Dáil” to fix the homeless crisis.

She said “it’s their job to care” and if they don’t, then the job should be given to someone else.

Meanwhile, last year…

After Amanda spoke on Morning Ireland in September 2017, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said:

“It’s probably one of the most important contributions to this debate that we’ve heard in the past number of months. 

“…the bravery they had this morning to come out and tell the country about their particular circumstances, I think was very brave but very important that people understand what these families are facing…”

*Amanda is not her real name.

This morning’s interview can be listened to in full here

‘Your voice is gone’ – student speaks of being homeless (Emma O’Kelly, RTE)

Previously: ‘Will They Still Be Your Friend? Or Will They Find You Scum?’

Rollingnews

UPDATE:

https://twitter.com/namawinelake/status/1048190649172971521

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92 thoughts on ““I Feel Like I’ve Been Stolen Of Most Of My Life”

  1. Col

    Before people start spouting about “free houses”.
    This is a symptom of the undersupply which is pushing property prices and rent too high. The government should have kept housing supply in check, allowing people on various income levels to either buy or rent.
    Eoghan Murphy has not done enough in my opinion.

    1. Daisy Chainsaw

      Neither did Coveney before him. They’ve let the figures rise to 10,000 homeless because FG don’t care about poor people. They care about their slumlord and hotelier members who are making a killing on HAP and rack rates.

      1. Col

        Well, if it makes you feel any better, Coveney’s failure was rewarded with a promotion. Murphy may be made King soon.

  2. Baz

    Emotional claptrap, how about no roof over your head?

    The state (taxpayer) is not obligated to House you

    It’s amazing how ungrateful people have become, glass half empty mentality

    Such absolute negativity from an 18 year old is the saddest part of that attempt by RTÉ to push an agenda using emotions rather than realising what is being done to help and the costs involved.

    Irrespective of resources, it’s impossible to click your fingers and have a ready housing stock. Easily takes 2 years from acquisitions to turn key and that’s fast

    1. millie st murderlark

      Nice guy Baz at it again.

      May you ever be cursed with the clap my friend. Have a bit of humanity, maybe?

    2. Kieran

      I take it ,your housing needs are honkey dorey baz.Because if your not in the same situation ,you’ve no right to judge .

    3. Ollie Cromwell

      But,but,but Baz we want the government to do everything for us but we don’t like them interfering and we don’t want to pay any more taxes unless it’s those rich scum who work hard for a living and they can pay more tax for us to sit around all day drinking Linden Village and wondering why the East Europeans have taken all our jobs and taken all our homes it’s all the government’s fault not ours no sirree we want something and we want it now even if we can’t be arsed to get it for ourselves.

    4. Papi

      The whole place has been invaded by an army of Victor Meldrews. Spite filled, ignorant windbag arseh0les.

      1. SOQ

        Not that many actually but activity encouraged by particular …windbags associated with the site.

    5. theo kretschmar schuldorff

      “it’s impossible to click your fingers and have a ready housing stock”
      ?
      The occupy movement has amply demonstrated that there is plenty of habitable or renovation-ready housing stock which is not in use.
      Click of fingers #1: Pass law enabling Vacancy / Dereliction Tax for domestic-sized properties. Property hoarding stops.
      Click of fingers #2 (a): Resource home acquisition units in local authorities to with the staff numbers and skills required.
      Click of fingers #2 (b): CPO Derelict properties – for market sale or social housing.

      Not impossible, just requires a political spine.

      1. SOQ

        And that should be the priority.

        The amount of empty rooms above shops alone is nuts. In the city, no extra utilities or infrastructure required so definitely a lot cheaper. All it would take is a decent advertising campaign and some financial assistance to encourage owners to renovate. And if they refuse, hard penalties as above.

  3. Anomanomanom

    I’ve committed on stuff like this plenty of times and I always read the posts, it normally descends into a “wasters” vs The rest of us argument. But I’ll just tell you a story, in fact its not a story because I seen it happen with my own eyes. Anyway, I noticed a women and a young boy walking out of a particular place in Francis street D8, I won’t name it but it use to be a lodge many years ago for tourists,I took no real notice to be honest. But the boy dropped something, I heard the mother(I assume) saying very frantically “quick quick pick it up”. I actually stopped to look assuming it was something important, it was toast. Yes one slice of Fucking toast. I literally in that moment realised this poor boy on his way to school had just left what was basically a hotel room. The absolute panic in that women’s voice on her face because a piece of toast fell will stay with me forever.

  4. newsjustin

    It’s not so much that this family can’t be given a home by the state that’s the scandal. It’s that the state/government has allowed a market situation to develop where loads of different people and families, particularly in Dublin can’t expect to find decent accommodation at reasonable prices.

    The “free house” debate is a side issue. We live in a welfare state where the poorest shouldn’t end up dying of starvation or exposure if the run out of money. Some people will need state funded homes. But the big scandal is that loads of people who have decent jobs and some savings can’t find homes. Which puts huge pressure on services meant for those in a worse predicament.

    1. NoOneCares

      Only someone who knows nothing about how these things work would entrust the “government “ to have responsibilities for housing people – would you ask a five year old to fix your Lambretta?

      1. millie st murderlark

        To be fair to newsjustin, aside from our vast difference in opinion on abortion, I’ve usually found him to be a very sympathetic and thoughtful commenter, and this time is no exception.

          1. Martco

            amen Brother! (twas crying out for it, now c’mon :) ) I 100% concur with the pair of ye

            mines a Wicklow Wolf Elevation btw

  5. digs

    I listened to this interview and it was heartbreaking. It’s a sad situation.

    Why is modular or flat pack housing not being explored more. Surely an decrease in the Importation of building materials duties would help, or special home insurance dispensation with non traditional materials???

    Am I being way to simplistic here? I mean, the cost in temporary accommodation must be significant and with GDP up and forecasts positive, would now not be the time to borrow exclusively with this in mind?

    Is there a fear of people falling into the welfare trap? Is that a concern???

    Whatever, that girl really tugged at the heart strings this morning. No doubt Ryan will make room for her this evening…

    1. Col

      Agree, she seemed like a smart woman with a good head on her shoulders, but she admitted she would have no chance of going to college if her situation doesn’t change. She also mentioned the toll it’s taking on her mental health. This is a fork in the road for her, without support her future is bleak.
      Her mother has just completed a degree (I think) in finance, and is looking for work. The family have not brought this on themselves, they are not idle, not sponges, not “entitled”.

    1. Col

      The problem isn’t solely his fault, but the failure to address it is. I don’t think he should be flogged or sent to prison or anything. But he has failed and should resign or be demoted.
      And whether he, or any TD, is “posh” or “working class” or anything else is completely irrelevant to me.

        1. Col

          Vacant lot tax could have been introduced earlier. Rent freezes could have been extended. Renovate existing social housing stock. Fast track new building. Reprimand (in particular) government ministers objecting to new housing, revise planning guidelines with respect to height restrictions.
          I don’t know all the solutions, but I’m not housing minister. I’m not running for office, I’m not claiming I’m making progress.

          1. Daisy Chainsaw

            Re-install the cap on rent allowance and do away with HAP altogether. Rents will come down again. That one room bedroom/kitchen combo will soon be affordable to all, not just those earning €35k a year.

    2. giggidygoo

      And another eye-opening statement from Rotide. Such attention to detail of his point. Clap clap.

    3. rotide

      I’m sorry, but if you don’t see the continuous comments calling him posh boy, ranelagh boy etc etc then you’re lying to yourself. Not so much in this thread but in nearly every other one. Dav is usually the prime offender.

      Just recently Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats have blocked new housing, Imagine someone calling Gary Gannon a Ghetto Boy because he thinks the magdelene laundry should be an empty maiusoleum rather than actual housing.

    1. digs

      I’m not concerned about who’s profiting from it at all. I’m concerned with redirecting funds.

  6. Nigel

    In the interview she talked about boys bullying her for her homeless state. Stuff like that does real damage to a person. And here we have at least two commenters who think it’s funny to mock her. It’s sometimes genuinely shocking to be confronted with the overwhelming banality of evil, yet here it is.

  7. Nigel

    Broadsheet is becoming a site where this kind of cruelty is becoming more commonplace. Plenty of pushback, but why should people have to waste time and energy pushing back against smirking sadism? When reading a set of comments leaves you feeling physically ill, maybe it’s time to stop visiting that site.

      1. Papi

        Your username is really misleading, cos you seem to care very deeply. About what is still a bit murky, but you do care.

      2. Nigel

        Good for you. Take it out on me, leave her alone. I’m a triggered virtue signalling SJW white knighting from my fainting couch. I can’t even. Worse than Hitler You’re a dreary edgelord who likes to mock young girls in obvious distress. Come at me fuppface.

  8. Ollie Cromwell

    Speaking of being obese I’ve just had the most marvellous blueberry muffin with a nice cup of of Bewley’s breakfast tae.
    It’s a bit early for my 3pm sugar fix but what the heck it’s Friday and Friday is funday at Chateau Cromwell of Drogheda.

  9. Ian-O

    Just fupp off posh boy. With your idiotic beard that was outdated in 2015 and your inability to cope with difficult questions.

    Go. Away.

  10. nellyb

    Get police to run homeless off town streets, inflate boats, fill with homeless, push them off to Atlantic. And don’t forget to charge for buoyancy aid and provisions.

  11. Ollie Cromwell

    Well as a third of all newly homeless are non-nationals how about attempting to restrict the flow of immigrants from the poorer Easter European states.
    Oh,that’s right,you can’t.

    1. ReproButina

      What has happened to our society that we have over 3,000 children living in hotels and emergency accommodation, under incredible stress and duress, and we have some people, clearly in a much better position, who think this is funny and they deserve scorn. Or, just as bad, think this is an opportunity to push some racist agenda.

      You people are scum.

      1. SOQ

        Sociopaths don’t care Bertie, they are incapable of feeling empathy. Now they may dress it up as trolling or being funny but their personality disorder always shows itself. They simply can’t help themselves.

    1. ReproButina

      Today? Or 6 years ago when that report was published? Or 8 years ago when the report it was based on was published?

      Racist and stupid. Quelle surprise.

      1. Ollie Cromwell

        You want recent ?
        No problem muppet.

        ” Relatively high levels of discriminatory attitudes towards immigrants, based on social, economic and cultural considerations, are a cause for concern according to research conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on behalf of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. It found Irish-born people have become less welcoming than our European neighbours and urges a more inclusive and tolerant society. ”

        http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/warning-signs-on-racism-1.3448199

        1. ReproButina

          I’m amazed at how self unaware you are that you go from posting about how immigrants are to blame for the housing crisis to posting concerns about high levels of discriminatory attitudes towards immigrants, based on social, economic and cultural considerations.

          You are part of the problem.

          1. Martco

            don’t be too surprised…@Charger is a mixed bag of hatred & negativity, seems that’s how he rolls as he doesn’t do reasoned argument, maybe
            he knows it all already so there’s just the bile like. personally I’m not sure why he posts here…you’d have to ask him but I’d like to think there’s a purpose to it given the effort he makes everyday…who knows.

            for me anyway he’s a bit like paying a visit to the zoo on broadsheet to see the negative animals.

            at least memes was funny.

            occasionally.

          2. Ollie Cromwell

            Nah,mate,I’m the solution.
            I actually employ immigrants.
            Much more reliable workers than the natives.Less prone to miss work through alcohol as well.
            Slovakians and Poles are the business.Good-looking girlfriends and wives too.Slim,not too much make-up,non-ginger.Bring up their kids well.

          3. ReproButina

            “I’m not part of the racism problem because racist comment, racist comment, racist comment.”

            I’m not your mate you racist idiot

          4. Ollie Cromwell

            We’re all European mates for the moment matey.
            That’s what mates do.They stick together through thick and thin.
            Especially at bailout time … pal.

          5. ReproButina

            “They stick together through thick and thin.” says the racist idiot cheerleading the UK leaving the EU and racing towards the breakup of the union.

  12. A Person

    I blame the DCC councillors as part of the problem – height restrictions in Dublin on building cos we are a low rise city – so we can’t be modern and house our population? And don’t get me going on Clontarf.

  13. Lilly

    If Michael D were to pledge his annual housekeeping budget to buy them a house, I’m sure no one would mind if he cut back on the afternoon tea parties.

    Really, I wish some wealthy fupp would just swoop in and rescue them. Childish I know. That poor girl.

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