A grandmother who must leave her home at the end of this month with her young relative has said she “never thought she would be evicted into homelessness”.
Paula Byrne Hawes told the Irish Mirror the Government’s decision to lift the eviction ban has left her “out of her mind” with worry and with nowhere to go in just three weeks’ time.
The 55-year-old has lived in a two-bedroom apartment in Clane, Co Kildare, for the past seven years.
Read more: Dublin Cllr criticises government's 'perfect storm' response to eviction ban
She was informed by her landlord in August 2022 that the property was going on the market and it was later sold to a private bidder. Ms Byrne Hawes received a notice of termination, seen by the Irish Mirror, from the Residential Tenancies Board in September 2022.
The termination date was expected to be January 30 this year but was extended until the end of March when the eviction ban was introduced.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, she explained that her young relative has lived with her for three years.
Ms Byrne Hawes said: “I was living in hope that it would be extended.
“I have been looking for somewhere. I haven’t been sitting back waiting for someone to hand me something. The rents are extortionate and there is nothing to rent around here.
“I am begging [Kildare County Council] for somewhere to live. I am out of my mind.”
Ms Byrne Hawes said she feels like the Government “seems not to care” and that it should have extended the eviction ban.
She explained that she has been awarded a three-bedroom home by Kildare County Council but that there is currently nowhere available for her.
She added: “You’re trying to be brave on the outside but on the inside you’re crumbling. I never thought I’d be in this position that I’d be facing eviction into homelessness at this point in life.”
Sinn Fein representative for Kildare North Reada Cronin told the Irish Mirror people are in “horrendous situations” because of the Government’s decision to lift the ban.
She said: “People reading this should look around their homes tonight and look at all the bits and pieces that make up their home.
“Imagine having to give it all away because they have nowhere to take it.
“I don’t know what the Government sees when they’re looking at this situation. All I see is people in pain who are terrified about the future.”
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