Anger over illegal occupation of council house

The illegal occupation of a local authority house in Kilbreena Crescent, Dunboyne, has prompted an angry reaction locally, particularly from those who have been waiting a long time on Meath County Council's housing list.

Meath County Council has confirmed that a family has illegally occupied one of its houses in Kilbreena Crescent, Dunboyne.

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said: 'The council is, at present, preparing the necessary documents to submit an application for possession to the District Court as provided for in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. The matter will be listed for hearing in the District Court as soon as possible .'

Local councillor Damien O'Reilly said local people are outraged and described what happened as a 'disgraceful act', calling on the council to remove the family immediately. According to Cllr Reilly, the house was being refurbished and work was almost completed, when the family moved in on Wednesday evening.

He said: 'I'm calling on Meath County Council to remove this family immediately, as other families in the area who have family members on the housing list for five, six, seven years  are outraged that this has happened and are planning a protest and picket outside this house, until this family is removed and the house is reallocated to a long term local family on the housing list.'