ICYMI: 'We’re living in dire straits' - Kilkenny woman pleads for help from council
A Kilkenny mother has renewed her appeal for help
A local mother has renewed her appeal for help from Kilkenny County Council as she and her family continue to live in difficult conditions, describing it as 'like a house in a third world country'.
Bernadette Keane, who currently resides in a council home in the city claimed she fears for the health and safety of her family.
In 2017, a new family shower was installed to cater for the needs of Bernadette’s son. But, following the installation, leaks began to emerge through the ceiling and mould formed on the walls of the home, according to Ms Keane. Subsequently, a new shower was installed in 2019 with the same issues reoccurring before becoming worse.
Speaking to Kilkenny Live in February, Ms Keane said she and her family were left to live in 'abnormal conditions' as a result.
In response, Kilkenny County Council said in a statement: "As a local authority, we have a housing stock in excess of 2,800 units and endeavour to work in partnership with tenants based on tenancy agreements and the shared responsibilities of the tenant handbook.
"We offer maintenance tips directly to tenants concerning items sure as condensation, minimising moisture spread and heating/energy conservation. We provide an effective maintenance response service assessing nearly 7,000 maintenance requests in 2024."
However, four months on, Ms Keane has claimed no substantial support has been made to end her household plight.
According to the local woman, two members of the local authority have visited her home in recent months and some photographs were taken. However, she affirmed no commitment to take supportive action has been made.
According to Ms Keane, the situation is 'getting worse' and has at times left her in tears.
"A few weeks ago I went up to the fire department about it, just to clear my own conscience about it and two men came down and they said there wasn’t a lot they could really do about the situation but that water and electricity don’t mix,” she recalled.
"The ceiling had been left open for three to four months running and then they (the council) come to close it up but they still can’t work out where the leak is coming from.
"I’m trying to do certain works in the house myself because logically we’re going to be staying there now but it would get you down when you see water coming down through the sitting room ceiling all the time.
"We’re living in dire straits," she said, adding, "it’s very depressing."