Tenants facing eviction visit Minister Darragh O’Brien’s home base

Applewood residents currently facing the threat of eviction by the corporate landlord LRC/Home Club, along with CATU members, recently paid a visit to Malahide, the home base for Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.

The purpose of the visit, which took place last Wednesday (16th) was to promote a solidarity rally on August 24th at 6 pm in Applewood, Swords.

The group say this rally seeks to shed light on the situation of families facing eviction, including a child and a seriously ill pensioner.

CATU say they are supporting these families in overholding.

During their presence in Malahide, residents and activists displayed signs reading “Minister O’Brien, Where Do We Go?” Some of the residents and activists even wore masks depicting Darragh O’Brien’s face while holding up eviction notice signs.

On the reverse side of these notices, the open letter from Applewood’s residents, urging Darragh O’Brien to intervene.

The letter can be accessed here.

The local residents of Malahide showed their support for the protest.

One of the Applewood residents told Northside People:

“Regrettably, Minister O’Brien, there is no holiday for homelessness.

“Despite our invitation, you chose not to engage with the residents.

“While you kicked back in the luxury of one of Malahide’s salubrious hostelries and savoured your pint, families, including children, are grappling with the looming threat of homelessness, unaffordable rents, and a worsening housing crisis.”

CATU activist Bryn Edwards said “CATU Fingal and residents facing eviction, visited the home base of Minister Darragh O’Brien.

“We are protesting the eviction of multiple families in Applewood Swords from the corporate Landlord LRC 1.

“They have a property portfolio of 6 billion globally. They are evicting tenants on their terms, because they can. It’s grossly unfair and immoral.

“We are calling for the reinstatement of the eviction ban.

“We are calling on Fingal County Council and Minister Darragh O’Brien to intervene and protect these families from homelessness.

“Residents in Applewood and CATU Fingal have organised a solidarity rally on August 24th. We are calling on anyone in the area to come and support these families”