DUBLIN Corporation has been accused of adopting a "cold-blooded policy" in dealing with tenants who are in arrears. The Labour TD, Mr Joe Costello, made the comment following the eviction yesterday of Ms Anna Fox, and her children, Natalie (II) and Thomas (9), from their flat at Mountain View Court in the north inner city.
She was reinstated last night following a deal brokered by Mr Costello and Sinn Fein councillor Mr Christy Burke. Under its terms, £950 of her £1,400 arrears was paid. Ms Fox's neighbours collected £450 and the St Vincent de Paul contributed £500. The remainder is to be deducted from Ms Fox's social welfare.
Mr Costello said it was "totally unacceptable" that a mother and her family should be put on the side of the road, "as happened 150 years ago during the Famine", because she owed arrears of rent.
He referred to recent remarks by the Minister for Housing, Ms Liz McManus, on the matter. "She did not envisage any more evictions for arrears of rent," he said.
Ms Evelyn Hannon, the administrator responsible for the corporation's evictions section, was not available for comment. However, Mr Joe Kenny, a senior official, said agreement to pay the £8.80 weekly rent, as well as arrears, had been arrived at with Ms Fox following court action by the corporation in 1992 and again last November. This had not been adhered to, he said.
Last night, Ms Fox, who has lived at the flat for 10 years and been in the flats complex all her life, said her entire income came from a lone parent's allowance. She said she had found it impossible to pay rent and arrears "with Christmas and the kids".