COUNCILLORS CLASH OVER REMOVAL OF EVICTION BAN

By Veronica Corr “Every man, woman and child has a right to a roof over their heads. If anyone in the Municipal District is put out on the street please get in touch with the Municipal District, who will bring it to the attention of Monaghan County Council,” Cathaoirleach Hugh McElvaney said at the outset of the recent monthly meeting of Ballybay/Clones Municipal District. The Independent elected representative let his disgust at the Government’s lifting of the Eviction Ban at the end of March be known, describing the move as “disastrous.”

He was scathing in his criticism of the three party leaders in Government, whom he described as “lousy” for allowing it to happen. Before opening the floor to comments, the chairman added: “This issue needs to be sorted out.”

Fianna Fáil’s Seamus Coyle commented: “I never thought I’d see it in my time, but we do have homelessness in our Municipal District, unfortunately it is a reality,” whilst observing that the Housing Section did endeavour to provide emergency accommodation. Sinn Féin’s Pat Treanor agreed wholeheartedly with what the previous speakers had said, adding: “I am on the Council’s ….