Man living with rats in damp house angered at Donegal County Council housing waiting list

A Convoy man who has been on Donegal County Council’s housing list for for almost eight years has been left angry and frustrated at his efforts to obtain accommodation from the local authority.

John Boyle has had issues with rats in the rented accommodation he is living in. The house is damp and unsuitable for his 14-year-old son is preparing for his Junior Cert.

“It’s just not fair on him when he comes up here,” he told Donegal Live. “I can never get a straight answer from the Council. They never give me a proper answer.

“When he comes here it is cold and damp. He has exams coming up and there is nowhere for him to put anything. Even the kitchen table here, it’s just a wee two-seater table and there’s not much room for his books or laptop.”

A native of Lifford who operates JB Fitness, he has been living in the Convoy area for the best part of 20 years now.

He has become exasperated with his attempts to get new accommodation.

“The warmest place here is the bedroom and downstairs is very, very cold,” he said. “I have been on this list for over seven years now. I have called so many times and I must’ve left my phone number with Council officials 100 times. I’ve gone face-to-face and tried to get somewhere, but it’s the same story.

“People in the Council have said to me that Convoy isn’t a popular area. If that is the face then why can’t I get a house? I know there is a housing crisis and there are few houses available, but there are so many people being handed houses in Donegal, even here in Convoy and around the general area here.

“I have asked about the refugees coming in. I am born and reared in Ireland and while they are telling me that these are social protection houses and not technically Council houses, it is really frustrating to be in this position.”

In response to a query from Donegal Live, Donegal County Council said: “Donegal County Council's Housing Department is not in a position to comment on individual cases.”

Mr Boyle was visited by an inspector from Donegal County Council before Christmas, but has yet to see any progress.

“I stayed in my mum’s over Christmas,” he said. “I would be laying on the sofa here on in bed and would hear scratching from the attic. That would happen during the daytime too or any time the house is quieter. You hear the scratching or the feet and it would give you the heebie-jeebies. I have caught one or two mice here and there have even been rats here; it is just horrible.

“It’s so difficult to heat the house too and the heating would be on five or six hours a day. I just want to find a forever home for me and my son.”