BOMB VICTIM CLAIMS PLEAS FOR SUITABLE HOUSE BEING IGNORED
Bomb victim claims pleas for suitable house being ignored
By JOHN McCUSKER
AWOMAN seriously injured in the Omagh bomb has criticised housing chiefs for ignoring her pleas to be moved to more suitable accommodation.
Recently-wed Kate Mulcahy claims she has made repeated attempts to be moved from her home at Lammy Crescent, to a more accessible single-storey house in the Brookmount Road area.
But, she says, despite numerous requests, the best housing associations could offer her was a pensioner's bungalow which was in an' awful condition."
Her claims, however, have been refuted by representatives of both the Fold Housing Association and the Housing Executive.
Mrs Mulcahy said that in recent months, she has fallen down stairs at her two-storey home on a number of occasions. And she fears that she may suffer even more serious injuries if she is not rehoused in a more suitable dwelling.
Mrs Mulcahy (27) and her husband Bryan - who returned from honeymoon just last week - are currently renting a three-bedroomed house in the Brookmount Road estate.
The young woman said her problems began shortly after she was released from hospital following treatment for injuries received in the bombing.
Because of lacerations to her right leg and foot, she no longer has any feeling in the limb, and still depends on a crutch to help her get around the house.
She said: "I find the stairs a major problem area and I have fallen down them on a number of occasions And with my injuries, I cannot manage to carry coal to the fire.
"The Fold organisation first of all offered me a one-bedroomed flat in their new development on the Brookmount Road. But with us just married and hoping to start a family, it was totally unsuitable.
"They then showed me around a bungalow, but when I enquired about it a month ago I was told it had been given to some else," she added.
Ms Mulcahy said the Housing Executive also offered her a pensioner's bungalow at Lammy Drive, out it had been in "awful condition"
"I told them it was not in a fit state to live in, but they said it was.
"Both these organisations built up my hopes and I am now very disappointed at the way the situation has been handled," she added.
Her plight has received the backing of elected representatives and local community workers who have pressed for action to be taken in the case.
And community worker, Paddy Hunter of Omawest is to seek a meeting with the Housing Executive in a bid to determine the criteria for housing allocation in the region.
A spokesperson for Fold this week said that although Ms Mulcahy had viewed a number of their properties, no offer of accommodation was ever formally made to her.
"We allocate all our properties based on need, and that is determined by lists and criteria supplied by the Housing Executive.
"Ms Mulcahy did view a two-bedroomed ground floor flat, but she didn't think it suitable.
"However, there are still six bungalows still to be allocated in the final phase of our development, and applicants have yet to be selected for them" she added.
A Housing Executive spokesperson said Ms Mulcahy had been on their priority list for ground floor accommodation since last June, and she would be offered a suitable dwelling as soon as one becomes available.
"We offered her a bungalow on 6th September which she refused on the grounds that repairs were required.
"We would point out that with all change of tenancies, any necessary repairs are carried out for the new tenant.
"Ms Mulcahy is still on a priority list and will be offered a suitable accommodation when it becomes available," she added.
By JOHN McCUSKER
AWOMAN seriously injured in the Omagh bomb has criticised housing chiefs for ignoring her pleas to be moved to more suitable accommodation.
Recently-wed Kate Mulcahy claims she has made repeated attempts to be moved from her home at Lammy Crescent, to a more accessible single-storey house in the Brookmount Road area.
But, she says, despite numerous requests, the best housing associations could offer her was a pensioner's bungalow which was in an' awful condition."
Her claims, however, have been refuted by representatives of both the Fold Housing Association and the Housing Executive.
Mrs Mulcahy said that in recent months, she has fallen down stairs at her two-storey home on a number of occasions. And she fears that she may suffer even more serious injuries if she is not rehoused in a more suitable dwelling.
Mrs Mulcahy (27) and her husband Bryan - who returned from honeymoon just last week - are currently renting a three-bedroomed house in the Brookmount Road estate.
The young woman said her problems began shortly after she was released from hospital following treatment for injuries received in the bombing.
Because of lacerations to her right leg and foot, she no longer has any feeling in the limb, and still depends on a crutch to help her get around the house.
She said: "I find the stairs a major problem area and I have fallen down them on a number of occasions And with my injuries, I cannot manage to carry coal to the fire.
"The Fold organisation first of all offered me a one-bedroomed flat in their new development on the Brookmount Road. But with us just married and hoping to start a family, it was totally unsuitable.
"They then showed me around a bungalow, but when I enquired about it a month ago I was told it had been given to some else," she added.
Ms Mulcahy said the Housing Executive also offered her a pensioner's bungalow at Lammy Drive, out it had been in "awful condition"
"I told them it was not in a fit state to live in, but they said it was.
"Both these organisations built up my hopes and I am now very disappointed at the way the situation has been handled," she added.
Her plight has received the backing of elected representatives and local community workers who have pressed for action to be taken in the case.
And community worker, Paddy Hunter of Omawest is to seek a meeting with the Housing Executive in a bid to determine the criteria for housing allocation in the region.
A spokesperson for Fold this week said that although Ms Mulcahy had viewed a number of their properties, no offer of accommodation was ever formally made to her.
"We allocate all our properties based on need, and that is determined by lists and criteria supplied by the Housing Executive.
"Ms Mulcahy did view a two-bedroomed ground floor flat, but she didn't think it suitable.
"However, there are still six bungalows still to be allocated in the final phase of our development, and applicants have yet to be selected for them" she added.
A Housing Executive spokesperson said Ms Mulcahy had been on their priority list for ground floor accommodation since last June, and she would be offered a suitable dwelling as soon as one becomes available.
"We offered her a bungalow on 6th September which she refused on the grounds that repairs were required.
"We would point out that with all change of tenancies, any necessary repairs are carried out for the new tenant.
"Ms Mulcahy is still on a priority list and will be offered a suitable accommodation when it becomes available," she added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0589
Published Date: 04-Nov-99
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