Despite the claimed ‘upturn’ and recovery in the Irish economy, tens of thousands of Irish families are struggling to hold on to their homes, and some people are being pushed beyond the limit – as Westmeath Land League activist, Dermot Murphy from Mullingar, learned about the tragic death of a father-of-four, who took his life, because of the difficult situation in which he found himself.
“This fine young man, with a mortgage debt and unable to take the pressure any more, sent word to his wife, and then stepped out in front of a truck. I was not able to sleep for two nights, thinking about his tragic death, and about his poor wife and four little children. I was trying to work out what we could do to help such people,” Dermot Murphy explained.
Dermot and others in the Westmeath Land League have been assisting people at immediate risk of having their homes repossessed in the courts by banks and lending institutions,. However, he felt they needed to be doing more, so that unfortunate home owners like the young man who died on the road in Co. Tipperary could realise there is help available.
‘ “I knew we were not reaching enough people, so what we came up with was to try to get a van with signs on it, and put it on the road, and bring it to the courts, where people could see it. We got a huge banner also, with the information on it, to bring with us, and put up on the court days. We’re very happy that we now have that scheme going, and feel we’re making real headway,” he said. “Also, I think the court people realise the seriousness of it all, and they have accommodated us,” he said.
Mr. Murphy said they had also got keyrings and leaflets with their phone numbers, etc on them to give to people in difficulties.
“We had to advertise more, and get the message across that we will take on these cases with the banks and lending institutions, and we will liaise with the institutions for these home owners in difficulties. We know the score, and we’re not afraid to take on these cases.
“Too many people have already died over this sort of problem,” he said, explaining that they had started a campaign on Facebook, and in three days raised enough money, with help also from Ben Gilroy, to buy a van for €1,200 in Mullingar, and they got it taxed and tested, and now have it in use for a week.
“We’re very grateful to Margaret, the Court Clerk in Mullingar, and others to whom we spoke. They didn’t object to our banner in the lobby outside the courtroom. We had it in Tullamore also. We showed them we were simply trying to get a message across to people, and they accepted this,” he said.
“We just have to prevent any more suicides and tragedies caused by these home repossessions,” said Dermot.
“We’re very happy, its working very well. People have been approaching us, asking for the information leaflet, saying they know someone who needs help. We know they probably need help themselves, but we don’t mind, once they make contact.”
The Land League van was also used in recent days in the carpark at Dunne’s Stores in Mullingar and Dermot Murphy and his friends displayed their banner in public, to publicise their campaign to assist people in danger of losing their homes.
The Land League number is 089-246-9827 or the Hub 015349118.
Dermot Murphy said there are a huge number of cases, with 60 in Tullamore and 30 in Mullingar courts this week and over 80 in Tipperary. “We will be going to Trim and Roscommon also and hope to get mobile units in Donegal and Kerry also.
When Topic enquired about the number of people in mortgage arrears, we were told that any increase in the high numbers of mortgages in long-term arrears could destabilise the lending market. It appears also that nearly three quarters of those with mortgages in long term arrears have not reached agreement on managing their debt with the banks. In 2014, the figure was 72,897 mortgages ninety days or more in arrears, and over 50% were not restructured.
Another big problem is that mortgage arrears to sub-prime lenders are rapidly increasing, we were told, with the sub-prime sector now one fifth of all residential loans in arrears.
IRISH WATER IN COURT
This week, in the High Court, Dermot Murphy’s case against Irish Water is starting. Mr. Murphy has taken a case himself over the installation of a boundary box on his property, by Irish Water, which he says is against regulations, and is creating a hazard, and is an infringement of his rights.
(Right) Dermot Murphy beside the Land League banner, getting across their message outside Dunne’s Stores in Mullingar.
