CATU Demands Wicklow Town Landlord And Business Owner Return Tenant’s Remaining Possessions

Damian Flood, the landlord of the home CATU member Tina rented in Wicklow Town, has had EastCoastGrabHire throw her belongings away.

Tina had lived in that property for years, paying rent for a house in poor condition, and then her health declined. She went through lung surgery and the house became uninhabitable due to water pouring through the ceiling.

The landlord at the time did not do anything to fix the long-standing issues in the house and she had to leave, but was never given a proper and reasonable opportunity to retrieve her belongings.

CATU is now asking members of the public to share this social media post and tag the landlord @johnfloodmenswearltd to let him know Wicklow is watching. For residents of Wicklow Town, CATU is asking that people drop into the landlord’s shop, John Flood Menswear located at Main Street, Wicklow, Ireland A67E773. This is a direct action method to apply pressure on the landlord to meet the demands. 

The house was sold to Damian Flood of both John Flood Menswear shops in Wicklow Town and in Arklow. Despite repeated engagement from Tina and CATU with Damian Flood’s solicitor, Damian Flood went ahead and shamelessly had Tina's belongings thrown away.

CATU asserts no one should be threatened with their personal possessions being thrown away. Everyone should have a good quality secure home, a chance to be part of a community and a chance to get on with their lives.

Tina explains the impact this has had on her: "I had made a home of a property that was rented out to me in very poor condition and to learn that all my belongings have been thrown away is my worst nightmare, and my health has deteriorated in all areas. Some of the belongings were dear possessions from my late mother."

CATU Ireland is committed to vigorously defending our members against any form of discrimination and mistreatment inflicted by both the state and private landlords. 

CATU member Marie says: "Tina has gone through incredible hardships and the way she’s been treated by her landlords is disgraceful. CATU appeals to the community to stand together with Tina as she faces yet again another form of shameful neglect by private landlords."

CATU demands that Damian Flood and EastCoastGrabHire:

• Return Tina's remaining possessions immediately, including those taken by the removal company
• Provide full access for Tina to retrieve whatever can be salvaged
• Pay proper compensation to Tina for the value of her belongings and distress caused
• Cease all threats and intimidation against tenants and former tenants

CATU was founded with a concern for some of the greatest issues affecting ordinary people in our communities across the island of Ireland. A major problem for many is the housing crisis – high rents, lack of security and rising homelessness. For others, it is the privatisation of our public services, racism and other social issues and discrimination, or lack of funding for the community that hits us hardest. 

In County Wicklow, council and private tenants as well as emergency accommodation and IPAS residents are facing damp, mould, leaks and rodent infestation in their homes, unjust evictions, while the housing supply is at an all-time low and rents are at an all-time high. 

CATU works to improve conditions, secure and access now and fight for bigger change- reorientation housing policy towards the provision of high quality public housing, alongside proper resourcing of in-house maintenance and investment in the existing public housing stock.

More info: https://catuireland.org/