The first expulsion in an impending mass eviction of twelve families from the Loreto Chapel Estate in Killarney is due to take place next week.
Councillor Deirdre Ferris drew the matter to the attention of Kerry County Council once again, at this week’s full council meeting.
The Cypriot property company, Xerico Ltd, owns 14 houses in the Loreto convent development.
It began a mass eviction process against the 34 residents, including 15 children, last year.
The evictions are entirely legal, with no suggestion by the tenants that the landlord has done anything illegal.
Cllr Ferris sought the support of every member of the chamber for her motion calling on the government to immediately intervene to prevent the mass eviction.
She said the evictions are exceptional in scale and impact, and may set an unwanted precedent.
Cllr Ferris wants a single, comprehensive government resolution rather than a fragmented, case-by-case approach.
She spoke of the importance of preserving the Loreto Convent community; of protecting the children from the psychological harm of losing their homes, friends, teachers and sense of stability; and of preventing Scoil Bhríde Loreto National School from losing a huge proportion of its pupils.
A representative of the Community Action Tenants Union, or CATU Ireland, also attended the meeting.
Councillor Marie Moloney seconded the motion and spoke of meeting with distressed and fearful tenants.
She reiterated that there is essentially no rental accommodation available in Killarney, and rejected any suggestion that the crisis is exaggerated.
Cllr Moloney also pointed out that emergency accommodation had previously been found for Ukrainian families and others, and argued that similar short-term solutions should be provided for these families if necessary.
She encouraged councillors to use their national contacts to further press the matter.
The motion was passed.
