‘I’m lucky to have a couch to sleep on, many don’t’

A YOUNG Navan mother, who was just three weeks in her new apartment in Navan's Academy Square spoke of her heartbreak at no longer having a home for her daughter.

Aoife Stynes is currently sleeping on her mother's couch, following the recent fire which saw 34 apartments in the Academy Square complex evacuated.

"I know I'm lucky to have a couch to sleep on and to have the support of family, because there are many who don't," she said

"They must be terrified. I find it devastating."

Aoife spoke of the heartbreak of having to leave the home she had been making for her four year old daughter. "I was only there three weeks in the apartment. I was delighted when I got it, as I had been searching for somewhere for six months. There was one day I was one of 30 viewing an apartment."

Aoife spent a lot of money in the weeks since, making the apartment into a home.

"I wanted to make it nice for her and I enjoyed doing it up. It was devastating to have to leave after three weeks.

"I don't know when we will be able to move back in. It looks as if it will be quite some time. Its a real kick in the teeth. I don't know whether to wait and see if I get it back, or cut my losses and look for somewhere new, but I will never get back the money I spent to do it up," she said.

Aoife approached Meath Co Council who offered her accommodation in a hostel setting in Drogheda or a camp bed in the Enterprise Centre.

"I wanted to stay in Navan. My daughter goes to school here and I work here. I don't have my full driving licence, so I couldn't drive from Drogheda to Navan on my own.

"It is so difficult. I'm struggling emotionally. It is a lovely area with a lovely community. Everyone tries to help each other out," she says.

For homeowners, Julia and Nicanor Josan, the loss of their home has been devastating and they have no idea when they will be able to return.

"They are staying with friends at the moment but they need a place of their own," daughter, Doina says.

"My mum is in bits. She cannot stop crying. It is so difficult to get somewhere to rent and they still have to pay their mortgage," says Doina, who grew up in Academy Square and flew home from London to be with her parents after the fire.

"We are Moldovan and Mum doesn't speak English very well, although she understands it. It has been particularly difficult for her," Doina says.

"Thankfully, nobody was injured in the fire, but it has been terrible for the residents. One minute you have a normal life in your own home and the next it is all gone."