By Dionne Meehan
A LETTERKENNY man living in horrendous conditions has made one last plea to Donegal County Council for help.
Brendan McCauley moved into a mobile home in the Glebe area of Letterkenny 15 years ago, prompted to do so following anxiety induced by the defective blocks scandal, of which he saw at firsthand the devastating consequences when his sister’s home began crumbling around her.
But his living conditions have severely deteriorated over time. With no electricity, no cooking or cleaning facilities and rats invading the place he calls home, Mr McCauley, who is currently claiming job seekers allowance, turned to Donegal County Council for help.
He submitted an application to Donegal County council for a demountable dwelling four years ago. In January 2021, he received a letter of approval from the council.
Brendan speaking to the Donegal News in his dilapidated mobile home at Glebe, Letterekenny.
It read: “I refer to your application to this Council for the provision of a Demountable Dwelling.
“I am pleased to inform you that your application has been provisionally approved subject to availability and suitability of site.”
However, three years on, Mr McCauley is still waiting
He now finds his situation worsening and claims his application has been put on the long finger.
“Holes began to show,” Mr McCauley told the Donegal News.
“I went to wash a floor one day and the floors all started to decay.
“Then the rats started coming in, and only for my wee terrier I would be in a tent along the road,” he said.
Makeshift curtains in Brendan’s mobile home.
Due to the limited resources Mr McCauley has in his mobile home, his niece Dominica McCauley has to support him with basic amenities.
“I go up to my niece’s house and I get my dinner up there, plus a shower, because I can’t cook here at all.
“It is too dangerous.
“If you cook here you attract rats.
“My niece keeps things clean, she washes clothes for me.
“I would be in the hospital otherwise,” he said.
But Mr McCauley doesn’t just suffer mentally from his living conditions, he also suffers physically.
“I have eczema, I am tortured.
“I had to go to a skin specialist,” he said.
Prescribed a course of antibiotics for 12 weeks, Mr McCauley was told his condition was due to dust exposure.
“My living conditions aren’t helping me,” he said.
A hole in the floor of the mobile home which Brendan covers with a paving slab.
After speaking with Mr McCauley, a source confirmed to the Donegal News that a demountable dwelling was identified a number of months ago.
However, when it was checked it was unfit to live in.
“He is living in terrible conditions but I would be hopeful something will be provided for him in the near future.
“I know that the council are actively pursuing a demountable for him,” the source said.
When Donegal County Council was contacted in relation to Mr McCauley’s case, they said they were not in a position to comment on individual cases.
However, a spokesperson advised Mr McCauley to make direct contact with the Housing Department in the Letterkenny office who will be in a position to answer his query.
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