Clare family in High Court to compel council to house them

A homeless family whose previous home burnt down has taken a High Court case aimed at compelling a local authority to provide them with accommodation.

David Mongans, his wife Margaret Lisa and their four young children live in a caravan on the Kilrush Road in Ennis, Co Clare.

They say their previous accommodation at Knockanean was burnt in 2015 and they have been homeless ever since.

They have lived at different locations in the Ennis area, including with relatives. They also lived in a shed before moving into the caravan.

Health problems

The family, who are members of the Travelling community and who are on Clare County Council’s housing list, say their living conditions are unsuitable, particularly as some of their children have significant health problems.

In their action against the council, they want various orders, including one compelling the local authority to provide them with suitable accommodation. They claim the council’s failure to provide this breaches their constitutional rights and the council’s obligations under Traveller accommodation acts.

Permission to bring the proceedings was granted, on an ex parte basis (one side only represented), by Mr Justice Richard Humphreys who returned the matter to next month.