A 62-year-old man who has lived in a derelict slaughterhouse for four decades was celebrating this morning after he received the keys to a council property in Cork.
John O’Donnell, who cannot read or write, previously told Virgin Media News that whilst he didn’t want to impose on anyone he was worried that he would end up “six feet under” because of the poor conditions he was living in.
John worked in the slaughterhouse as a younger man and slept in the canteen at night. When the slaughterhouse subsequently closed down he remained in the derelict site with his dog.
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John had grown up in a State institution in Cork. He left as a young teenager and went to work in the slaughter house on the northside of Cork city. He has never had a home.
Paddy O’Brien, who is an advocate for the elderly in Cork, took on his case and approached Cork City Council about finding housing for John. The derelict site was falling in to complete disrepair and its roof was leaking.
A clearly overwhelmed John received a warm welcome from locals when he turned the key on his terraced home in Madden’s Buildings, in Blackpool in Cork, on Wednesday.
It is hoped that John will move into the property in time for his 63rd birthday in August. John said that he was very grateful for all that had been done for him by the local authority, Mr O'Brien, Virgin Media and Red FM.
However, he admitted it would take him time to get used to his new surroundings.
“I have never had a fireplace so I am not sure about cleaning it out.I was 40 years (in the old place). It was tough but I used to walk around in the fields. I wasn’t lonely to be honest. I was used to it. But it was cold.
"City Hall (the local authority) were very good to me. And I also want to thank Paddy O’Brien. I hope I can bring my dog. It is a brilliant house. A grand, grand little place."
John had won the hearts of viewers of Virgin Media when he told broadcaster, Paul Byrne, that he “didn’t want to be a bother” and would like a house “if it wasn’t too much trouble.”
John also gave an interview to local radio station Red FM this morning having previously spoken to them in January.
Locals who heard the interview stopped in their cars and came out of their houses to wish him well. Several motorists beeped their horns and waved to welcome their new neighbour.
John said that his old home was “horrendous and shocking.” He suffers from asthma and was finding it increasingly hard to breathe in the derelict property that was home.
Meanwhile, Paddy O’Brien said that John had endured the worst living arrangements he had ever seen.
“I wonder how many more Johns are there. Not just in Cork but in the entire country. It was an appalling situation that a man was living out there for so long without anybody doing anything about it.
"I got a word from a neighbour, who is a friend of his last January. The housing department in City hall were very good.
"There are shops around the place here for John and it would take him about twenty minutes to walk out to his old home. It would take him twenty minutes to walk out. I know he is sad leaving the olf place. That’s understandable.”
Paddy joked that along with having a nice cosy fireplace for the winter John might meet a “cailin deas” in the area. He is certain that locals will give John a good Cork welcome in his new life.
Area businesses, such as Kelly's Carpets, have vowed to row in over the next few weeks to provide flooring for the new property.
Paddy hopes that having a proper home will give John a new lease of life. "John is nervous leaving his place outside. He is a bit wary. But the neighbours have been out saying ‘hello’ and I think that will help.”
