Published: Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 5:00pm

Hannigan joins daughter and grandson to protest

by Sinead Hogan

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Martin Hannigan with his grandson Calvin and daughter Belinda protesting outside Cavan Courthouse last week at the condition of Belinda's council house in Cootehill.

Former pothole campaigner, Martin Hannigan from Cootehill, joined his daughter, Belinda Hannigan, and her six-year-old son, Calvin, at Cavan Courthouse last Wednesday to protest against the conditions in which Belinda and Calvin are living in their local authority house in 2 Drumman, Cootehill.

"This is not where I want to be," said Belinda, referring to standing on the street from 8.40am till after 3pm. "But what can I do? I have to fight it," she said.

Belinda says the two-bedroom house assigned to her by Cavan County Council was previously used by an elderly person and is unsuitable accommodation for her and Calvin. The walls are damp, there is no garden and no place for Calvin to play, Belinda told The Anglo-Celt.

"Calvin is going to the Holy Family School and needs space," said Belinda, who pays €27 per week rent.

"What I can't understand is that the council is giving some people new houses and others are being thrown into houses they don't want to be in. There is a big discrepancy," she said.

Accompanying her, Martin said they would like to pay tribute to the local councillors for their efforts. "I would give them credit for trying. They're delivering letters to the local authority," he said, adding that he believes the councillors "aren't allowed to stand up for people".

Martin Hannigan said he plans to take his protest to Cootehill and to Leinster House if necessary, although he added that he won't be bringing Calvin to that event.

"It's sad when you have to take it out on the innocent to achieve your rights," he said.

Conor Maguire from Lavey said he was a passerby who wanted to speak out in support of the Hannigans. "The political system in this country has failed to look after the rights of people," he said. "I feel it's a national disgrace to have a mother and child in those conditions," he added.

The Anglo-Celt contacted Cavan County Council and Town Council regarding housing repairs and received information from the town council detailing the amount spent on repairs. It also detailed how responsibility for housing maintainace is divided between the Town Council and the tenant, and this division of responsibility is set out in the terms of the tenancy agreement and the tenant handbook, which are provided to each tenant.

"Repairs are carried out on a priority basis... and are subject to finances being available. Repairs will not be carried out where a tenant is in arrears of rent. All other maintainace and repair issues are the responsibility of the tenant. All tenants are advised to consult their tenant handbook before making a request for repairs. Where repairs are done by a tenant they are advised to ensure they are done by a suitable qualified person," according to the statement.

The Anglo-Celt received an unsolicited letter signed 'Cootehill Concerned Residents (CCR)' voicing opposition to the protest.

"We can't believe that the Hannigans were protesting about Belinda's house. Belinda lives in a beautiful bungalow on the outskirts of Cootehill... People get given houses and then they don't look after them," read the letter.