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High Court

Homeless couple who slept at council tell court that temporary accommodation is not suitable

Alan Murphy and Kelly Gilsenan left the offices of the council in Tallaght on Friday after the council took a High Court injunction out against them.

A HOMELESS COUPLE who occupied the offices of South Dublin County Council have told the court that hostel accommodation offered to them is not suitable.

Alan Murphy and Kelly Gilsenan left the offices of the council in Tallaght on Friday after the council took a High Court injunction out against them.

That matter returned to the High Court today in front of Mr Justice Paul Gilligan.

The court will be told later today if the couple plans to abide by the injunction, which does prevent the couple from returning to the council to speak to officials in an effort to resolve their problem.

The couple became homeless nearly two weeks ago after their landlord sold the house they had been living and they were unable to find anywhere they can afford to rent.

Today, they told the court that hostel accommodation was offered to them, but is unsuitable as Murphy has a child who spends four nights a week with him.

Seamus Farrell of the Irish Housing Network, which is supporting the couple, told TheJournal.ie that the couple is not making an unreasonable demand.

“What they’re asking for is fairly basic, they just want a roof over their heads. That is something this state and the government should be committed to providing.”

He added that supporters were willing to continue their actions at the council offices if the situation was not resolved.

Read: Homeless couple sleeping at council had an injunction taken out against them